Humanoid robots in marketing: a new kind of experience

The humanoid robot has stopped being merely a laboratory curiosity and is becoming a tool of experiential marketing. Where a billboard or an ordinary stand goes unnoticed, a walking robot can stop a crowd, trigger an emotion and get people talking about the brand. In this article we explain what a humanoid robot really brings to marketing, how it is used in practice, where its limits are and when deployment truly makes sense.

What a humanoid robot in marketing means

A humanoid robot in marketing is not an advertising panel with legs. It is a physical, moving attraction that creates a so-called wow moment, an instant of surprise that people remember and want to share. Marketing has long been fighting for attention and classic formats have gone blunt. A robot that walks among visitors, gestures and reacts is exactly the kind of stimulus that breaks through the barrier of being ignored.

From the brand's point of view this is experiential marketing. The aim is not just to show a product but to create an experience that attaches itself to the company's name. The robot works as a magnet for the crowd, as a topic of conversation and as a natural source of content for social media, because people photograph and film it of their own accord.

Why a robot attracts attention: an expert breakdown

The effect of a humanoid robot rests on several psychological principles. First, novelty. The brain reacts to unexpected stimuli, and a human-sized robot that moves like a person is still a rare sight. Second, anthropomorphism, the tendency to attribute human qualities to something that has a human shape. That is exactly why people address the robot, wave to it and want to interact with it.

The third factor is shareability. An activation with a robot generates a so-called earned media effect, meaning reach the brand does not have to pay for, because the visitors themselves spread the content. It is this organic reach that makes the robot a cost-effective tool compared with paid advertising.

• Novelty: a robot is still an unusual stimulus that stops passers-by.
• Anthropomorphism: the human shape provokes a desire to communicate and come closer.
• Shareability: visitors create photos and videos for free.
• Dwell time: people stay at the stand longer, which increases the chance of contact.

Examples of use in practice

A humanoid robot is used in marketing across industries. Companies most often deploy it at trade fairs and exhibitions, where a stand competes for attention with dozens of competitors, as well as at product launches, store openings, corporate and PR events or in shopping centres.

Global examples show the power of the format. In 2026 humanoid robots were a prominent topic at CES in Las Vegas and at the industrial Automate show, where for the first time they got a hall of their own. Brands also use them for exclusive events and campaigns, building an image as an innovator. The same principle is available to Slovak companies, just on a smaller scale and without the need to own a robot.

• Trade fairs and exhibitions: the robot as a magnet that brings people to the stand.
• Product launches: the robot hands over or reveals the new product as part of the show.
• Store openings and PR events: the robot as a symbol of a modern brand.
• Shopping centres and retail: interaction with visitors and content creation.

Which robots make sense to deploy

The choice of robot depends on the type of event, the space and the budget. A smaller, agile humanoid suits ordinary activations and compact spaces. For premium events, gala evenings and big openings it makes sense to go for a larger and visually more dominant model. If you want a different kind of attraction, a robot dog can also draw a crowd.

The robotrental.sk range includes the humanoid models MONTARI (Unitree G1) and NOVA (Unitree G1 EDU), plus the robot dog ORYX (Unitree Go2). The G1 is approximately 127 cm tall and weighs around 35 kg, the H1 is taller, about 180 cm.

• MONTARI (Unitree G1): a compact humanoid for ordinary activations and stands.
• NOVA (Unitree G1 EDU): the educational version with greater configurability.
• ORYX (Unitree Go2): a robot dog as an alternative attraction.

Limits and risks nobody talks about

A robot in marketing is not a cure-all and has clear limits. It is not a fully autonomous entertainer that can handle everything on its own. At public events it needs an operator who supervises movement and safety. Battery life is limited, so operation runs in blocks with breaks for charging or swapping the battery.

In addition, Unitree robots do not have industrial safety certification for working in close contact with people, so they are deployed at a distance and under supervision. The second risk is that the wow effect does not sell on its own. If there is no clear message and no mechanism for collecting contacts behind the attraction, the brand gets videos but no business result. The robot is a tool, not a strategy.

• It needs an operator and is not fully autonomous.
• Limited battery life, operation in blocks with breaks.
• No industrial certification for close contact, a safe distance is required.
• Without a clear message and CTA the robot entertains but does not sell.

Recommendation: how to use a robot in marketing correctly

A robot delivers the best results when it is placed in a well-thought-out scenario. Define the goal before the event, whether it is brand building, lead collection or content creation. Choose the model according to the goal, plan the course of the interaction and prepare a way to turn a visitor's interest into a contact or a sale.

The practical rule is: the robot should be the hook, not the whole fishing line. Build a clear message around it, good lighting for video and a team that captures leads. Then the attraction becomes a measurable marketing investment, not just an expensive toy for one day.

Related service: marketing events with a robot

If you are considering deploying a humanoid robot in a marketing campaign, rental is the fastest and cheapest way to test the format without buying your own equipment. It includes professional scenario preparation and an operator on site.

You can find more information about this type of deployment on the marketing events page (/typy/marketingove-akcie). The final price depends on the robot model, type of event, length of deployment and location, plus a refundable deposit, with transport arranged separately. For a no-obligation consultation and a quote on request, write to info@robotrental.sk.

Related service: Marketing events