An interactive robot zone: anatomy of a typical project

An interactive robot zone is one of the most popular formats clients ask us about. In this article we walk through a generalised project: this is the typical path from request to result when a company wants guests not just to watch a robot but to interact with it and with the brand.

The request

A typical brief sounds like this: “Our event will have several hundred guests. We want a zone where people will enjoy lingering, while we collect contacts and tell them about a new product.” The event lasts one day; the zone is about 5×6 metres by the entrance to the main hall.

The concept

We suggest combining two robots with different roles:

• The humanoid R1 Basic is the “host” of the zone: it greets guests, briefly presents the product and invites them to play.
• The robot dog Go2 EDU is the interactive part: guests give it commands from a tablet and see how it reacts.

The mechanic is simple: a guest completes a three-step mini-quest, then takes a photo with the robots and receives it by email. The email is the collected contact – with voluntary consent.

Space planning

• The zone is split into three parts: greeting, play area, photo zone.
• The play area is fenced with a low barrier – the robot dog moves only inside it.
  
• A spot for the queue is set aside so guests do not block the entrance to the hall.
• Behind a screen is the engineer’s station with a socket for charging and spare batteries.

The interaction script

We write the humanoid’s lines so each interaction lasts up to two minutes: any longer and the queue grows. The humanoid knows five facts about the product and answers questions within that topic. The robot dog quest has three commands: “say hello”, “find the logo”, “dance”. Zone staff manage the queue and help with the tablet.

Preparation

A week before the event we record a rehearsal video and send it to the client for approval. After revisions – the final version of the lines. On the day we arrive two hours before opening, set up the zone, test connectivity and run the script with the staff.

What to measure

An interactive zone makes sense only if you know its result. We recommend agreeing on metrics in advance:

• how many guests completed the quest;
• how many left a contact to receive the photo;
• how many product questions guests asked the robot – and which ones;
  
• how many social media posts featuring the robot appeared.

Guests’ questions to the robot are valuable in their own right: they show what the audience really cares about in your product.

What such projects teach

• Short interactions beat long ones. Two minutes is the sweet spot for a flow of people.
• Zone staff matter as much as the robot. Without someone managing the queue the zone gets chaotic.
• A “photo for a contact” exchange works better than asking people to fill in a form.
• Spare batteries are a must if the zone runs all day.

Similar formats for different events are collected under robots at events.

Adapting the format to your event

The scheme scales easily. For a small event one humanoid with a short greeting and a photo is enough. For a multi-day exhibition you add a performance schedule and a dedicated promoter. For a kids’ festival the quest gets longer and more playful, and the robot dog performs more tricks.

What stays the same: a clear goal for the zone, short interactions, a person managing the flow of guests and metrics agreed in advance. These four things separate a zone that delivers contacts and content from a zone where a robot simply stands.

Want a zone like this at your event? Send us a brief – we will suggest a concept, a space plan and metrics.