Kärcher × R.U.D.A.: robot dances with people – what worked
Written by ROBOTio Team · · 6 min read
Article summary
Vnitroblok Prague, 21 May 2026: humanoid R.U.D.A. joined the Taneční sektor formation. What the robot did, what worked, and what to take away when planning your own event.
At the Kärcher Česká republika corporate event in Vnitroblok Prague (21 May 2026), the R.U.D.A. robot did not stand alongside the dancers but danced with them. It entered the formation of the professional studio Taneční sektor in the middle of the piece, and the audience began applauding before the number ended. Below we summarise what the robot did at the event, what worked, and what an organiser of a similar event can take away. ## What happened at Vnitroblok Kärcher wanted a moment at the event that guests would remember the company by. We chose a dance number in which the robot would become part of the formation, not a prop. R.U.D.A. is a [Unitree G1](https://robotio.eu/unitree-g1-basic) humanoid, 135 cm tall, from our own fleet and is part of our [Unitree brand robots](https://robotio.eu/brands/unitree). The sequence was straightforward: - the Taneční sektor dancers began the number without the robot, - midway through the piece, R.U.D.A. entered the formation, - the audience responded with applause during the number, - after the performance, a queue formed in front of the robot for selfies. Guests filmed on their phones throughout the number. The footage subsequently appeared on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, so one event created content for four channels. You can find the full case in our [Kärcher × RUDA case study](https://robotio.eu/case-study/karcher-tanecni-vystoupeni-vnitroblok-praha). ## How the choreography came about The robot has different timing and a different range of motion than a human dancer. Therefore, we did not prepare the formation by simply grafting the robot onto an existing number. We worked with Taneční sektor for two weeks before the event and developed a new custom formation. With each beat, the robot's involvement had to make sense. Practical details: - **Synchronisation with music:** the operator listens to the same stream as the dancers and gives the robot manual cue points. Synchronisation to the beat is possible with a tolerance of approximately 0.3 seconds. - **Division of roles:** the robot maintains its own movement and balance; the operator controls direction and gestures. This is why it is live operation, not playback of a recording. - **Rehearsals:** before the performance, there were two rehearsals, robot calibration, perimeter check, and setting of musical cue points. ## What worked ### The robot as a dancer, not an exhibit The greatest impact came at the moment the robot entered the already-running number. People did not expect it to join, and the reaction came spontaneously. This yields a practical rule: time the robot's entrance so the audience does not expect it, but so it makes dramatic sense. ### The space matched the audience size Vnitroblok was approximately 8 × 8 m with around 250 guests. Everyone could see the number and the applause was audible. From our experience, the format works best for events with around 80 to 400 guests. With smaller audiences, the crowd effect is lost; with larger audiences, more robots or more space are needed. ### Safety without visible intervention The operator was outside the audience's view, with a second team member monitoring the perimeter. This follows our rule that each robot must have two operators throughout the event. The operator has an emergency stop at hand, which will safely lower the robot. Backup batteries and a controller were on hand. We discuss how we handle safety in more detail in our article on [humanoid robot safety among guests](https://robotio.eu/blog/bezpecnost-humanoidniho-robota-mezi-hosty-operatori). ### Backup plan without the robot The choreography is designed so that the dancers can complete it even without the robot. The robot has a dramatic role, but the formation's success does not depend on it. We did not need this safeguard at the event, but we recommend always having it agreed in advance. ### Content that lives on after the event The client receives video and photos from the performance (raw footage and edited versions) for use on their own website, social media, in PR, and in campaigns. Any use of the event as a reference is always agreed with the client's prior consent. ## What to take away as an organiser 1. **Start with the dance studio early.** Two weeks before the event was a good timeframe for a new custom formation. Earlier planning gives more room for fine-tuning. 2. **Define one moment.** Ask yourself what the event should be remembered for. For Kärcher, it was the combination of innovation and humanity, and we tailored the entire number to that. 3. **Account for space.** For a dance formation with a robot, you need a minimum of 4 × 4 m of clear space plus approximately 2 m of safety clearance all around. If you want our five-minute ROBOrevue show, we need at least 12 × 6 m. Our article on [ROBOrevue at a corporate event](https://robotio.eu/blog/roborevue-na-firemni-akci-prostor-zarazeni-do-programu) explains how to fit it into the programme. 4. **Plan filming.** If you want to create marketing content from the event, agree in advance on where filming will take place and where guests will stand. This also applies to [marketing events](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type). 5. **Let robots work where they are strongest.** Dancing with people works as a programme highlight. For welcoming guests or photo opportunities, other scenarios are more suitable, such as [robots at corporate events](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type). We develop the same principle—robots and dancers in a single choreography—in the ROBOrevue show. Its world premiere in Paris is described in our [ROBOrevue case study](https://robotio.eu/case-study/roborevue-svetova-premiera-pariz-2026). ## Frequently asked questions ### Does the choreography have to be written from scratch? Ideally, yes. The robot moves differently from a person, so the formation is best refined together with the dance studio. A robot can only be incorporated into an existing number to a limited extent. ### What if the robot fails during the performance? The operator has an emergency stop at hand and the robot will be safely lowered. The dancers are prepared to continue without it. Backup batteries and a controller are on hand. ### How much space does a dance formation with a robot need? A minimum of 4 × 4 m of clear space plus approximately 2 m of safety buffer all around. At the Kärcher event, approximately 8 × 8 m was available. ### Can we use video from the event in our own marketing? Yes. The client receives video and photos from the performance for use on their own channels, website, and in campaigns. ## Want a similar moment at your event? Tell us the date, venue, and number of guests. We will propose a format and get back to you with a quote within 24 hours. Pricing is always provided on request. [Request a robot for your event without obligation](https://robotio.eu/robot-rental).Want to see a humanoid at your own event? Find out how to rent a humanoid robot with our own operators.
Category
case-study
Tags
- Kärcher
- R.U.D.A.
- dance choreography
- corporate event
- humanoid robot
- review
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