Robot Hire UK: A Complete Guide for Events and Exhibitions
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Robot hire is becoming a popular choice for event organisers and exhibitors across the UK. From welcoming guests and answering questions to capturing leads and promoting products, today's AI-powered robots can do much more than simply entertain attendees - they have proven to deliver real, measurable results.
Whether you're planning a trade show, conference, exhibition, product launch or corporate event, the right robot can help you increase engagement, drive footfall and improve on-site operations.
In this guide, we'll explore the different types of robots available for hire in the UK, how they are used at events, the value they deliver and what to consider when choosing a robot for your next event.
Why Event Organisers and Exhibitors Are Hiring Robots
Events represent a significant investment of time, budget and resources, making it essential for organisers and exhibitors to maximise engagement, attract the right audience and achieve measurable outcomes.
For exhibitors, that means generating more leads and increasing booth traffic. For event organisers, it means improving attendee experience, operational flow and reducing pressure on staff.
Robots solve these challenges by combining attention, interaction and data capture in one solution, enabling event teams to do more with less while creating experiences that attendees remember.
Types of Robots Available for Hire in the UK
1. AI Concierge Robots (For Event Organisers)
AI Concierge Robots are designed to support event organisers by enhancing attendee experience and providing instant access to event information. Equipped with a large digital display and AI-powered interaction capabilities, they act as mobile information points that help attendees navigate the event, discover sessions and access important updates throughout the venue.
Commonly deployed at registration areas, venue entrances and exhibition halls, these robots combine attendee support, sponsor promotion and event communication in a single solution.
How Event Organisers Use Them:
Welcome and greet attendees
Provide personalised session recommendations
Make announcements and promote upcoming sessions
Offer venue directions and physical wayfinding support
Answer attendee questions
Display event advertising and branded content
Promote sponsors, exhibitors and partners
Collect feedback
Benefits:
Improve attendee engagement and experience
Improve event communication, reduce pressure on event staff
Deliver additional value to sponsors
2. Lead Capture Robots (For Exhibitors)
Lead Capture Robots help exhibitors stand out by combining a large digital display, interactive AI capabilities and autonomous movement into a single engagement tool.
Unlike traditional digital signage that remains fixed in one location, these robots move around the exhibition floor, attracting attention, displaying promotional content and engaging visitors in conversation.
Once a visitor's attention has been captured, the robot can guide them through a self-discovery journey using its built-in touchscreen interface. Attendees can explore products, services and solutions, watch demonstrations and access relevant information at their own pace.
After completing the product journey, visitors are prompted to submit their contact details, request a demonstration or arrange a follow-up conversation, helping exhibitors turn engagement into qualified leads.
How Exhibitors Use Them:
Attract and direct visitors to the stand
Display promotional videos and branded content
Deliver interactive product demonstrations
Qualify leads through interactive conversations
Capture leads
Benefits:
Increase booth traffic
Extend brand reach beyond the stand
Create a more engaging visitor experience
Capture more qualified leads
Maximise exhibition ROI
Differentiate from competitors
3. Goodie Distribution Robots
Goodie Distribution Robots provide an engaging way to distribute promotional items, samples, brochures and marketing materials while creating real interactions with attendees.
Unlike traditional handouts, these robots move through busy event spaces, naturally attracting attention with their large digital displays. Driven by curiosity and the urge to engage, attendees are drawn in and take items directly from the robot trays.
Many exhibitors and organisers also combine this with on-screen QR codes to capture leads or collect data at the same time as distribution. This makes it especially effective for product sampling campaigns, where both engagement and data capture are equally important.
Overall, this shifts distribution from passive handouts to active engagement, increasing visibility and improving campaign impact at events.
Best for:
Exhibitions and trade shows
Product launches
Sampling campaigns
Corporate events
Sponsor activations
What They Do:
Distribute promotional items and giveaways
Hand out marketing materials and product samples
Display branded content and advertisements
Promote sponsors and exhibitors
Support lead generation campaigns
Benefits:
Increase distribution of promotional materials
Improve visibility for sponsors and exhibitors
Create memorable brand interactions
Drive traffic to exhibition stands
Maximise the impact of sampling campaigns
Extend brand reach across the event venue
4. Catering & Hospitality Robots
Catering & Hospitality Robots combine food and beverage service with audience engagement, improving catering flow and creating seamless networking experiences.
Instead of attendees leaving conversations to queue at a catering station, the robots move through the venue delivering refreshments directly to guests. This keeps networking conversations flowing without interruption and removes downtime during service periods.
They also act as a social catalyst, often becoming a talking point and sparking interaction between attendees. This helps make networking feel more natural and continuous, while also creating photo moments that enhance the overall event experience.
Beyond service, they can support operations by moving through the venue to collect used plates and returning them to the kitchen in one trip. This reduces the need for staff to move repeatedly between service areas and the event floor, improving efficiency and reducing operational pressure. Each tray can typically carry up to 10kg.
Equipped with integrated digital displays, the robots can also showcase sponsor messaging, event announcements and branded content, turning hospitality moments into additional touchpoints for communication and promotion.
Best for:
Corporate hospitality events
Networking events
VIP experiences
Conferences and receptions
Product launches
Awards ceremonies
What They Do:
Serve food and beverages
Display sponsor and branded content
Promote event announcements and key messages
Support hospitality teams
Enhance guest experience
Benefits:
Enhance guest experience
Improve hospitality efficiency
Increase sponsor visibility and value
Provide a unique talking point for guests
How Much Does Robot Hire Cost in the UK?
Robot hire prices in the UK typically range from around £900-£2,000 per day for a single unit, with discounted rates available for longer hires and multi-day events.
The exact cost depends on several factors:
Type of robot and use case (concierge, lead capture, catering, etc.)
Duration of the event (single day or multi-day hire)
Level of AI interaction and functionality required
Branding, content and customisation requirements
Event location and logistics
On-site setup and technical support
At NEOS Robotics, we provide end-to-end robot hire services across the UK, from planning to on-site support. Get in touch with our team for a free consultation.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Robot
Before choosing a robot hire provider, consider:
Event Objective - Are you focused on lead generation, attendee engagement, information delivery, brand visibility or experiential activation?
Interaction Level - Consider whether the robot simply displays content or can actively engage attendees through AI interaction, guided journeys and conversational features.
Branding Options - Can it be customised to match your event or brand identity?
Reliability & Uptime - Can the robot operate reliably for long event hours without interruption, and what happens if there is a technical issue?
Support On Site - Is technical support included during the event?
Venue Compliance & Safety - Whether the provider understands venue requirements, including H&S procedures, risk assessments and technical compliance. This is especially important for large venues and exhibitions where strict operational standards apply.
Relevant Experience - Has the provider worked in exhibitions or conferences before?
NEOS Robotics: Why Work With Us
NEOS Robotics provide end-to-end robot hire services across the UK, supporting organisers and exhibitors from planning through to on-site delivery.
We ensure you get the right robot for your event objectives - whether that's increasing leads, improving engagement, supporting catering operations or creating an experiential feature. Full branding and customisation options are available too.
Additionally, we have deployed at major UK venues including ExCeL London, Manchester Central, InterContinental London O2, with a full understanding of venue requirements, health and safety standards and technical compliance.
From planning to installation, we ensure every deployment is smooth and fully managed. Get in touch with our team today for a free consultation and quote.
What Our Clients Say
“We used your robot back in March at the BLTF and we had a lot of success with it!” - CS DISCO
“The Robots were a great success and both Sponsors were extremely happy. Thank you for all your hard work. It has been a pleasure working with you and your team.” - Events Manager, Netlaw Media
“The engineers were particularly outstanding, they were proactive, helpful, and a pleasure to work with. Their presence made a real difference to the smooth running of the service.” - Catering Manager, ISS
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a robot for an event in the UK?
Costs vary depending on the robot type, event duration and level of customisation. Single-day hire typically starts from around £900 - £2,000 depending on unit model.
What types of robots can be hired for exhibitions and conferences?
The main types include AI concierge robots for attendee engagement and event information, lead capture robots for exhibitors, goodie distribution robots for handing out samples and marketing materials, and catering and hospitality robots for food and beverage service.
Can robots help generate leads at trade shows?
Yes. Lead capture robots use interactive touchscreens to guide visitors through product demonstrations and then prompt them to submit contact details or request a follow-up, turning booth engagement directly into qualified leads.
Is on-site technical support included with robot hire?
This depends on the provider. For provider like NEOS Robotics, we include on-site technical support as part of the booking, covering setup, operation and troubleshooting throughout the event.
Do robot hire companies handle health and safety compliance for large venues?
A good provider will manage risk assessments, health and safety documentation and venue-specific compliance requirements. This is worth confirming before booking, especially for major venues like ExCeL London and Manchester Central.
At NEOS Robotics, we regularly deploy robots at major venues across the UK and manage all compliance and venue requirements on behalf of our clients, allowing them to focus on delivering a successful event.
Final Thoughts
Robot hire in the UK is becoming a practical way to improve event performance and deliver measurable results. From AI concierge and lead capture robots to goodie distribution and catering solutions, these technologies are now being used across conferences, exhibitions and corporate events to drive engagement and support event operations.
Whether the goal is to increase visitor engagement, generate more qualified leads or create a standout event experience, robot hire offers a flexible and impactful solution for modern events.
Planning an upcoming event? Get in touch with our team today to discuss your objectives and discover the right robot solution for your exhibition, conference or corporate event.
