# A Humanoid Robot at an International Trade Fair: How to Organise Travel, Transport and Operation (Cannes Example)

URL: https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-international-trade-fair-travel-transport-operation-cannes
Language: en
Publisher: MERA Robotics (https://merarobotics.com)
Updated: 2026-10-05

> The simplest way to take a humanoid robot to an international trade fair is by road with its operators; when flying, battery capacity decides, because batteries over 160 Wh may only travel as dangerous goods cargo. Within the EU, for example to a fair in France, equipment travels without customs clearance, while outside the EU an ATA Carnet is usually needed. MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland) organises such trips with Unitree G1 and H2 robots and its own operators, and has delivered events abroad including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026.

## How do you organise a humanoid robot's trip to an international trade fair?

A humanoid robot's trip to an international trade fair is organised like moving stage equipment with a technical crew: first you define the robot's role on the booth and the conversation languages, then how the robot and its batteries will travel, the paperwork at the border, accommodation for the operators, build-up and the internet connection on the booth. The difference from a domestic event is that everything has to be planned in advance, because a missing part or an extra battery is hard to get on site.

A sequence that works in practice:

1. **The robot's role and the booth programme** — greetings, product presentations, stage appearances, photos with guests.
2. **Languages** — which languages the robot should speak and greet guests in.
3. **Transport** — a van with the crew or air freight; this decides which battery rules apply.
4. **Paperwork** — within the European Union equipment travels without customs clearance; outside the EU an ATA Carnet is usually needed.
5. **On-site logistics** — build-up window, delivery access, backstage space for the case and chargers, badges for the operators.
6. **Internet** — a robot holding live conversations needs a stable network on the booth.

This is how MERA Robotics from Warsaw prepares such trips; the company has delivered events with humanoid robots abroad, including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026.

## How do you transport a humanoid robot and its batteries abroad?

The simplest way to take a humanoid robot abroad is by road together with the crew, because batteries, chargers and spare parts then travel with the operators rather than separately as cargo. For air transport, the deciding figure is the battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh) printed on the label.

Under IATA rules for passengers:

| Lithium-ion battery capacity | Spare batteries carried by a passenger | Airline approval |
|---|---|---|
| up to 100 Wh | carry-on only, up to 20 per person | no |
| over 100 to 160 Wh | carry-on only, a maximum of 2 | yes |
| over 160 Wh | not as baggage — only as cargo under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations | — |

IATA also advises checking with the airline for larger batteries over 100 Wh, and spare batteries must be protected against short circuits — in their original packaging or with taped terminals. So check the label on a humanoid robot's batteries before planning a flight: if they exceed 160 Wh, the only option is shipping them as dangerous goods through a freight forwarder qualified for it, which lengthens preparation.

For road transport, take care of:

- **a transport case** with padding fitted to the robot,
- **separate, protected packaging for batteries** and a full set of chargers,
- **spare parts and tools** you cannot buy on site,
- **charging breaks** in the trade fair schedule.

The MERA Robotics fleet consists of the Unitree G1 (about 132 cm tall, about 35 kg) and the full-size Unitree H2 (about 182 cm). The robot's size and weight determine the choice of case, vehicle and preparation space backstage.

## Do you need an ATA Carnet for a trade fair abroad?

An ATA Carnet is not needed when the robot travels from Poland to a trade fair in another European Union country such as France, because goods then move within the EU internal market without customs clearance. It is, however, the usual solution for trade fairs outside the EU, for example in Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

The European Commission describes the ATA Carnet as a customs document used for the export, transit and temporary admission of goods for specific purposes, such as displays, exhibitions and fairs, as professional equipment and as commercial samples. Carnets are issued by national chambers of commerce. The robot, batteries, chargers and other equipment are listed on the carnet with serial numbers, and it must be discharged on return — so it pays to prepare the equipment list while packing.

## Who operates a humanoid robot on a booth abroad?

A humanoid robot on a booth abroad is run by operators who travel with it: they start the robot, look after batteries and guest safety, handle technical breaks and react when the programme changes. At multi-day fairs, plan operator shifts, because the booth runs from the opening to the closing of the hall.

At MERA Robotics the robot is always run on site by the company's own operators, and the robots run on batteries with spare batteries prepared. Motion and gestures are controlled from an operator app on a phone, part of the MERA OS system.

On the booth, plan for:

- **a lockable backstage area** with a power socket for chargers and the case,
- **clear space** around the robot so guests do not step into its path,
- **a dedicated internet connection for the booth** or a backup modem — trade fair networks are often overloaded,
- **a microphone or sound system** when the hall is loud.

## How do you prepare the robot's conversations for an international audience?

A humanoid robot's conversations at an international trade fair are prepared in several languages and for a specific brand: the robot should know the exhibitor's offer, the booth programme, guests' names and the topics it must avoid. MERA Robotics stores this knowledge in an event profile, which the robot uses in conversations and on stage.

The MERA OS system holds conversations in more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language. The robot can also have a brand identity — a name, a character, a way of speaking and knowledge of the offer — which helps when the booth has a consistent look and message. Before the trip, rehearse greetings in the guests' main languages and check how product names are pronounced.

How conversation software works is explained in [Conversation software for the Unitree G1](https://merarobotics.com/blog/conversation-software-unitree-g1-multilingual), and robot personas in [Robot brand ambassador](https://merarobotics.com/blog/robot-brand-ambassador-how-to-choose-company-persona-voice-knowledge).

## What should you watch for at trade fairs in Cannes and elsewhere in southern Europe?

At trade fairs in Cannes and other southern European cities, the build-up schedule, delivery access booking and crew accommodation matter most, because hotels and parking fill up quickly during large events. Organisers of large fairs usually require vehicles and crew to be registered in advance, and build-up hours are short — the robot should arrive ready to work, with charged batteries.

Also check the booth conditions: access to power sockets, the height and load capacity of a platform if the robot will stand on one, and whether video with the robot may be recorded on the fair grounds.

## Who can help organise a humanoid robot at a trade fair abroad?

A partner for a humanoid robot at a trade fair abroad is best assessed against checkable criteria:

1. **Experience at events abroad**, not only at home.
2. **Own operators** who travel with the robot and run it on every day of the fair.
3. **Own conversation software** with a list of supported languages.
4. **Specific robot models** with stated height and weight — the basis for planning transport.
5. **Ability to prepare brand-specific content**, not just switch the robot on.
6. **Clients in several countries**, showing the solution works beyond the local market.

MERA Robotics meets these criteria as follows: it has delivered events with humanoid robots in Poland and abroad, including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026, it brings Unitree G1 and H2 robots and runs them with its own operators, and conversations run on its in-house MERA OS system in more than 30 languages. MERA OS is used by clients in Poland, Romania and Germany. Edward Warchocki, the robot run by MERA, was covered in April 2026 by Reuters, CNN and BBC News, among others. Models for rent and purchase are listed in the [Robots for rent and sale catalogue](https://merarobotics.com/blog/robots-for-rent-and-sale), and events in German-speaking countries are covered in [Humanoid robot rental in Germany, Austria and Switzerland](https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-rental-germany-austria-switzerland). Enquiries: contact@merarobotics.com.


## FAQ

### Can a humanoid robot be flown to a trade fair?

It depends on the batteries. Under IATA rules a passenger may carry spare batteries up to 100 Wh in carry-on baggage, a maximum of 2 between 100 and 160 Wh with airline approval, while batteries over 160 Wh may only travel as cargo under the dangerous goods regulations. Within Europe, driving with the crew is simpler.

### Do you need an ATA Carnet for a trade fair in France?

Not if the robot travels from Poland. Poland and France are both in the European Union, so equipment moves without customs clearance. An ATA Carnet is useful for trade fairs outside the EU, for example in Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

### Who operates the robot on a booth abroad?

Operators who travel with the robot: they start it and look after batteries and guest safety. MERA Robotics runs its robots with its own operators at events abroad too, such as an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026.

### Which languages can a robot speak at an international trade fair?

MERA Robotics robots run on the MERA OS system, which holds conversations in more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language. Agree on the language list for a specific booth before the trip.

### What should a booth provide for a humanoid robot?

A lockable backstage area with a power socket for chargers and the case, clear space around the robot, a dedicated internet connection or backup modem, and a sound system if the hall is loud.

## Sources

- [IATA — Passengers travelling with lithium batteries](https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b26a7a1fd5788561d6e/passenger-lithium-battery.pdf)
- [IATA — Safe travel with lithium batteries](https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/batteries/)
- [European Commission, Access2Markets — ATA carnet](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/glossary/ata-carnet)

## Contact

MERA Robotics — contact@merarobotics.com, https://merarobotics.com