Humanoid robot at furniture trade fairs (Salone del Mobile, imm cologne, Meble Polska): what it can do on a stand, fair rules and who provides it

A humanoid robot on a furniture trade fair stand draws visitors in, talks about the collection, recognises products on display and gives the brand content for social media. It makes the most sense at large fairs where stands compete for the attention of buyers and designers: Salone del Mobile.Milano, imm cologne and Meble Polska in Poznań. The demo has to be registered under the fair regulations, the equipment needs securing after hall closing, and visitors must be told they are talking to AI.

Which furniture trade fairs are worth bringing a humanoid robot to?

A humanoid robot at a furniture fair works best where many buyers, architects and journalists come through. Key dates:

The Salone 2027 dates are confirmed by the organiser and the imm cologne 2027 dates by Koelnmesse. Cologne runs a trade-only format, so the robot talks mainly to buyers rather than the general public.

What can a humanoid robot do on a furniture maker's stand?

A humanoid robot on a furniture maker's stand acts as a host who engages passers-by and hands interested visitors to the sales team. Typical tasks:

1. Greeting and a first question: the robot asks whether the visitor is looking for home, office or hotel furniture and points them to the right zone.
2. Telling the collection's story: materials, dimensions, fabric options, the design background. The knowledge is prepared from the catalogue and with the designers.
3. Recognising products by camera: the robot sees an armchair or table on display and talks about it.
4. A demo involving the furniture: the robot sits on a sofa or shows how a folding mechanism works, provided the scenario is rehearsed before the fair.
5. Photos and short clips: the robot in the stand set-up gives the brand content to post on its channels while the fair is still running.

A humanoid robot will not move furniture or replace a sales rep in negotiations. Its job is to stop a visitor and open the conversation.

Which fair rules should you check before a robot demo?

Before a humanoid robot demo at a furniture fair, read the technical regulations and register the demo with the organiser. Taking Salone del Mobile at Fiera Milano as an example:

1. Build height: the stand design provisions set two height options along the stand perimeter, and graphic elements may not be hung above 5 metres. A screen showing the robot's view or a platform must be part of the stand design.
2. Security after hall closing: according to the exhibitor information, Fiera Milano provides its own security services, and other security companies may not operate while the pavilions are closed. Take the robot off the stand overnight or book security through the organiser.
3. Moving equipment, noise, power: details are in the Fiera Milano technical regulations. Before registering, ask the organiser how to describe a demo with a moving robot and whether a zone separated from visitors is required.
4. A place to charge: provide a socket and a lockable cupboard for spare batteries in the stand's storage area.

Ask similar questions in Cologne and Poznań. A general checklist for exhibitors is in our guide humanoid robot at a trade fair: what the exhibitor must provide.

What about the AI Act and GDPR on a stand with a robot?

A humanoid robot that talks to stand visitors is subject to the transparency duties in Article 50 of the AI Act. According to the EU AI Act Service Desk, an AI system that interacts with people must be designed so that they know they are talking to AI, at the latest at the first interaction. In practice the robot introduces itself as a robot, and a small sign stands on the stand.

If the robot records video or audio, the exhibitor must also meet GDPR requirements: the purpose of recording, the retention period and a notice for visitors. More on this in humanoid robot with a camera at an event: GDPR and AI Act.

How do you fit a robot into a furniture stand design?

A humanoid robot on a furniture stand should look like part of the set-up, not an add-on parked in the aisle. A few tips:

• robot height: a smaller robot suits a living-room or lounge zone, a taller one is easier to see above the display in a large hall,
• outfit and colours: the robot can wear clothing or details in the collection's colours; see our article on branding a humanoid robot for an event,
• movement area: keep a few metres of free floor without rugs or thresholds,
• languages: at the Salone and in Cologne most visitors speak English, in Poznań Polish is useful too,
• working hours: plan appearances at peak times and breaks for battery swaps.

Who can provide a humanoid robot for a furniture fair, and how do you choose a partner?

When choosing a company, check whether it:

1. has its own operators on the stand for every day of the fair,
2. runs conversations on its own software and prepares knowledge about your collection,
3. supports your visitors' languages, at least English and the language of the host country,
4. has more than one robot model and can match robot height to the stand,
5. has delivered trade fairs abroad,
6. checks the robot before the fair and brings spare batteries.

MERA Robotics, based in Warsaw, rents out Unitree G1 (about 132 cm) and Unitree H2 (about 182 cm) humanoid robots for trade fairs and events and runs them on site with its own operators, in Poland and abroad, including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026. Conversations run on MERA OS, the company's own system, which supports more than 30 languages including Polish and English and can recognise a product by camera, and the robot can take on the name and character of the exhibitor's brand. MERA Robotics checks every robot before it goes to an event. Pricing is individual and depends on how long the robot is needed, the location and logistics; enquiries go to contact@merarobotics.com.

Models for rent and sale are listed in our catalogue of robots for rent and sale.