Robots at Outdoor Events: Surface, Weather and Power

Surface: the most important factor

A humanoid robot walks on two legs, so the ground beneath it matters more than almost anything else. The ideal outdoor surface is a level, firm stage or paving. These give the robot stable footing and let it walk and dance as intended.

Grass, gravel, sand and wet surfaces are problematic for a humanoid's walking. Uneven ground and loose material make movement unpredictable, and wet surfaces add the risk of slipping. In these situations we usually solve the problem with a stage or a covered area, so the robot always performs on a surface it can handle. At sports events, for example, a pitch or field is always assessed in advance, and a mobile stage or a paved area next to it is often the safer choice.

Weather and temperature

Rain and extreme temperatures can limit a performance. Outdoor events are planned weeks or months ahead, while the weather is only known a few days before, so it pays to prepare for more than one scenario.

We recommend a covered alternative – a tent or a stage with a roof – and a clear agreement on who decides whether an appearance is moved. In practice, this means naming one person on the organiser's side who makes the call together with our team on the day. When everyone knows the plan in advance, a change of location takes minutes rather than turning into a discussion in the rain.

Backstage and power

Between appearances, the robot needs a backstage area for breaks and access to power. Indoors this is usually easy to arrange; at festivals and open-air events it requires a little more planning, because the site is often built from scratch and space behind the stage is shared by many performers and suppliers.

We arrange this with the organiser well in advance. A sheltered space close to the performance area, protected from rain and direct sun and out of reach of visitors, makes the whole day run more smoothly. It also shortens the walk between backstage and stage, which matters on a busy festival site.

What works well outdoors

Outdoor events have their own rhythm: people move around, and the audience in front of a stage changes throughout the day. The formats that tend to work best take this into account:

• short dance appearances on stage
• appearances at times when the most people are gathered near the stage
• a covered area for photos with the robot

Checklist for outdoor event organisers

If you are planning a festival, a city celebration, a company family day or a sports event, these steps will help us assess your event quickly and suggest the right setup:

1. Describe the site

   Send a site plan or photos showing where the robot could perform and what the ground is like.

2. Confirm the stage

   Let us know whether a stage is available, its surface and whether it has a roof.

3. Plan for bad weather

   Agree on a covered alternative and on who decides about moving an appearance.

4. Reserve backstage

   Set aside a sheltered space for breaks with access to power, close to the performance area.

5. Time the appearances

   Place the robot's appearances in the programme when the most visitors are around the stage.

Planning an open-air event? Get in touch

RobotShow prepares programmes for events across the Czech Republic, and we handle events abroad individually. Tell us about your venue, date and programme, and our production team will assess the outdoor conditions and propose a format that suits them. The price is quoted individually. Send us a no-obligation inquiry and we will come back to you with a proposal.