Can a humanoid robot really talk and answer?

Yes, it can handle a greeting, a simple dialogue and pre-prepared brand messages. In a more demanding conversation or a sensitive situation, however, an operator often helps to steer the speech.

Does the robot walk entirely on its own, or does someone control it?

It depends on the scenario. The robot handles basic movement and balance on its own, but at an event with a crowd an operator usually supervises and coordinates it so that the interaction is smooth and safe.

How long does a humanoid last without recharging?

Usually a few hours of active operation depending on the model and load. For an all-day event we therefore plan a battery swap or charging windows so that the robot works throughout the whole event.

What can a humanoid robot really do today?

The question of what a humanoid robot can do provokes two extreme reactions today: either that it will replace humans, or that it is just an expensive toy. The truth is somewhere in between, and that is exactly what we look at in this article, without the marketing talk.

Put simply: what the robot can handle

Imagine a machine the size of a child or an adult that can stand up, walk on two legs, wave its arms, turn its head and react to what is happening around it. That is today's humanoid robot. It can move through a space, keep its balance, gesture, speak and strike a pose for a photo. To an ordinary event visitor it looks like a living character from the future.

It is important to distinguish two things. What the robot can physically do is one thing, and how much of it it can handle on its own without help is another. This is exactly where most people get it wrong. The hardware is surprisingly capable today, but independent decision-making lags behind what the flashy videos show.

How it works under the bonnet

A humanoid such as the Unitree G1, which we operate under the name MONTARI, is around 1.3 metres tall and weighs roughly 35 kilograms. It moves at up to 2 metres per second, has high-torque joints and three-fingered grippers for handling light objects. Its bigger brother, the Unitree H1, is around 180 centimetres tall, weighs 47 kilograms and reached a bipedal running speed of 3.3 metres per second in tests.

Movement is handled by a combination of sensors, cameras and in some cases LiDAR, which give the robot a picture of the space. A computing module, for example the NVIDIA Jetson Orin, processes this data and controls balance in real time. Speech is handled by models similar to those behind voice assistants, so the robot can greet, answer and hold a simple dialogue.

Specific examples of use

At an event a humanoid works best as an interactive crowd-puller. It welcomes guests at the entrance, guides them through the exhibition, poses for group photos and delivers short brand messages. In schools and universities it serves as a live demonstration of what robotics and artificial intelligence look like in practice, not just on slides.

In marketing and PR the robot becomes a magnet for attention. People stop next to it, film videos and share them, which creates organic reach for the brand. The robot dog ORYX, in turn, shows off dynamic movement, crosses obstacles and adds an element of surprise to the event.

Welcoming and guiding guests at a trade fair or conference
Group photos and videos for social media
Educational AI demonstrations in schools and universities
A crowd-puller at a product launch or a store opening

Limits and what to watch out for

This is where we differ from the hype sellers. A humanoid in 2026 is not an independent worker. A large part of the impressive demonstrations runs on teleoperation, meaning a human operator controls the robot remotely. Fully autonomous handling of unexpected situations, manipulation of unknown objects or reliable recovery after a stumble are still not solved.

The second ceiling is endurance. The battery typically lasts a few hours of active operation, so an all-day event has to plan for swapping or recharging. The robot also needs adequate space, a level surface and coordination with the crowd. It is not a machine you put in a corner and forget about.

What a company should take from this

If you are looking for an employee to replace human labour, a humanoid is not that today. But if you are looking for an experience that draws attention, gets people talking about the brand and generates content for social media, the robot is currently one of the strongest tools on the market. The key is realistic expectations and a good deployment scenario.

The most sensible first step is a short-term rental with an operator. You get to test the real reach without investing in your own machine and know-how. Take a look at our rental types and choose the format that suits your event.

Related service: Rental types