Branding a hired robot: costumes, wraps and screens

You can brand a hired robot in three main ways – a fitted garment or costume, removable stickers or wraps, and on-screen content – plus props and the set around it. The non-negotiable rule is that nothing may cover the robot's sensors, cooling or emergency controls, and the supplier must approve every item before it goes on the robot. Expect branding to appear as its own line in the quote.

The options at a glance

Screen content. The cheapest and safest option where the robot has a screen. Pepper carries a chest tablet with a 1280 × 800 touchscreen.
Fitted garments. Vests, sashes, scarves or caps in brand colours, made to fit the robot and leave sensors clear.
Removable stickers or wraps. Logos on flat panels, applied and removed by the supplier.
Props. A tray, sign or product the robot holds or presents.
The set. Backdrop, podium, floor graphics and barrier signage around the robot – often more visible in photos than the robot's own surface.

On humanoid4rent, branding is a separate quote line from rental, operator and programming (see how it works), and our pricing guide lists branding, wrapping, costume or custom graphics as an extra to compare across quotes.

Screens: designing for a robot, not a phone

SoftBank Robotics' design guide for Pepper suggests a simple default home screen that represents the robot's role; one example is making the tablet image look like a staff uniform with a name tag. The guide notes that people interact within about one metre of Pepper, so icons and text should be large and strongly contrasted, and it names black text on a white background as the most legible.

Keep one clear message and one call to action per screen (a QR code, "say hello", a booth number).
Avoid fine print and small logos; check readability from standing height.
Plan what the screen shows when idle, during a speech and if the app stops.

Unitree's G1 product page does not list a screen, so G1 branding is physical or part of the set around it.

Costumes and garments: what must stay clear

Every robot has parts that must stay uncovered. Ask the supplier for a marked-up photo of the exact unit.

Unitree G1. The head carries a 3D LiDAR and a depth camera, and the robot uses local air cooling. Unitree's user manual includes, in its routine checks, making sure nothing obstructs the head-mounted LiDAR, the camera lens is free of foreign matter, and the cooling fan's intake and exhaust are clear. Unitree's developer documentation shows mounting-hole positions on the body; ask whether any attachment uses these rather than tape or straps across joints. Unitree also states that dangerous modifications are prohibited.

Pepper. According to the technical specification published by Maxtronics, Pepper has cameras in the mouth and forehead and a stereo pair behind the eyes, four microphones on the head, an emergency stop button behind the neck, a chest button under the tablet, bumpers on the base, and lasers, sonars and infrared sensors around the base. That rules out skirts over the base, collars over the neck and anything on the head.

General rules for any robot:

Nothing loose that can catch in joints, wheels or feet.
Nothing that adds weight to the arms or changes balance without the supplier's agreement.
Light, breathable fabric and no padding over vents.
Quick release: the operator must be able to remove it in seconds.

For a sense of what is possible: at China's 2025 Spring Festival Gala, Unitree H1 robots performed in floral folk-dance vests, according to TechNode. That was a production with the manufacturer involved; for a hired robot, the supplier decides.

Props the robot holds

If the robot should hold a sign or a product, check the payload. Unitree lists the G1 arm's maximum load at about 2 kg (about 3 kg for the G1 EDU), varying with arm pose. Leave a margin and test the exact prop – a wide sign can catch air or hit visitors during gestures.

Fire safety and venue rules

Costumes and decorations usually fall under venue fire rules. Messe Frankfurt's presentation factsheet, for example, requires all decorative materials to be flame-retardant – class B1 of DIN 4102 and/or class C of EN 13501-1 – and makes the exhibitor responsible for any damage. Other venues have their own technical guidelines, so ask the organiser, and ask your costume maker for a fire-rating certificate.

Photos, logos and approvals

Ask whether manufacturer logos on the robot may be covered or must stay visible.
Agree in writing how you may use photos and video of the robot in your marketing.
If the robot films or photographs visitors, read cameras, microphones and privacy.
Screen content and scripts follow the same lead-time logic as other custom content.

A branding timeline

Mention branding in your request: what you want, where it will be seen, and your brand guidelines.
Get a template or measurements and a "keep clear" diagram from the supplier.
Design, then send for supplier approval before production.
Produce removable items in duplicate if the event runs over several days.
Fit and test on the robot before the event day, including walking, gestures and charging.
Check on site under the real lighting; remove everything afterwards and confirm there is no residue.

Checklist

Supplier-approved list of zones that may and may not be covered
Garment fits without touching sensors, vents, stop buttons or bumpers
Fire-rating certificate if the venue requires one
Screen content large and high-contrast, with idle and error screens
Prop weight checked against the manufacturer's arm load
Spare stickers or a second garment
Photo-use rights agreed in writing
Branding clearly priced as its own quote line

FAQ

Can we put our logo on a hired robot?

Usually yes, through removable means agreed with the supplier: a fitted garment, stickers on flat panels or screen content. The supplier must approve anything attached to the robot.

Can a robot wear a full costume?

Only if it leaves sensors, cooling and emergency controls clear. On the Unitree G1 the head LiDAR, depth camera and fan intake and exhaust must stay unobstructed; on Pepper the base sensors, bumpers, head and the stop button behind the neck must remain free.

What works best on Pepper's tablet?

A simple branded home screen, big buttons and short text with strong contrast. SoftBank Robotics' guide notes that people interact within about one metre and names black text on white as the most legible.

Do costume materials need to be fire-rated?

At many venues, yes. Messe Frankfurt requires flame-retardant decorative materials (DIN 4102 B1 and/or EN 13501-1 class C), so check your venue's technical rules.

Sources

How this guide was made: prepared with AI assistance; every factual statement was checked against the sources listed above on 12 October 2026. Spotted an error? Write to info@humanoid4rent.com.