Want to Hire a Robot Like Frank? Here's Everything You Need to Know

If you've been on Instagram, TikTok, or even just walking through Melbourne's CBD in the past few weeks, you've probably seen him. A humanoid robot casually strolling down the street, turning heads, stopping traffic, and racking up millions of views online.

His name is Frank.

Frank — known online as Frank from Future (@frankfromfuture on Instagram) — has become Melbourne's most unexpected celebrity of 2026. He's been filmed walking through Bourke Street, browsing shops, posing with strangers, and generally acting like a regular Melburnian who happens to be made of metal, sensors, and servos.

The videos have exploded. Over six million views across social media. National television coverage. Thousands of comments from people asking the same two questions:

Who is Frank? And more importantly: Can I hire a robot like him?

The short answer to the second question is yes. Here's the full story.

Who is Frank the Robot?

Frank first started appearing in Melbourne content around late April 2026. His Instagram account, @frankfromfuture, positions him simply as "Frank the Robot" — a humanoid who loves being the centre of attention.

And that's exactly what he's been getting.

The videos work because they're instantly shareable. There's no setup required. A humanoid robot walking through Melbourne's CBD is the kind of content that makes people stop scrolling, double-take, and immediately send it to someone with "have you seen this?" It's futuristic, slightly surreal, a bit funny, and perfectly suited to a city that already embraces public oddities as community events.

Frank was featured on national news in May 2026, with broadcasters describing him as "Melbourne's newest celebrity." TikTok content pages dedicated to Frank sightings have collectively generated millions of views. He's been spotted everywhere from Southbank to Doncaster, and the public reaction ranges from genuine fascination to delighted confusion.

What makes Frank resonate is the contrast. In a city where people are filming oat lattes and fit checks, suddenly there's a robot walking past like it's completely normal. That visual disconnect is what makes the content travel. You don't need context. You don't need a caption. The clip does the work on its own.

What Type of Robot Is Frank?

Frank appears to be a Unitree G1 humanoid robot — or a platform very similar to it. The Unitree G1 is one of the most advanced commercially available humanoid robots in the world, made by Chinese robotics manufacturer Unitree Robotics.

Here are the key specifications of the Unitree G1 platform:

Physical dimensions: approximately 1.32 metres tall and 35 kilograms. Compact enough to move through doorways, crowds, and event spaces without difficulty, but tall enough to command attention in any room.

Movement: the G1 walks at up to 2 metres per second with remarkably fluid, human-like motion. It has 23 or more degrees of freedom across its joints, allowing it to bend, reach, twist, turn, and even fold itself into a compact form for transport. The movement is what makes people stop and stare — it doesn't shuffle or wobble. It walks.

Sensing and awareness: equipped with an Intel RealSense D435i depth camera and Livox MID360 3D LiDAR, the G1 builds a real-time 360-degree map of its environment. It can detect obstacles, navigate around furniture and people, and operate safely in crowded spaces.

Audio: a built-in microphone array with echo and noise cancellation allows the robot to hear and respond to voice interaction, even in noisy environments.

This is the same platform that RobotForHire uses for event hire across Australia. Our robot, Rocco, is a Unitree G1 EDU — the extended capability version of the same robot that's been turning heads across Melbourne. You can explore Rocco's full specifications and interactive 3D model on our Unitree G1 robot page.

Why Has Frank Gone So Viral?

Frank's popularity isn't random. There are specific reasons why a robot walking through Melbourne has captured this much attention, and they're worth understanding if you're thinking about using a robot at your own event.

The visual is the hook. Most viral content requires context — a story, a punchline, a caption that makes it land. Frank doesn't. A humanoid robot walking down a street is instantly understandable. It creates an immediate emotional reaction, whether that's fascination, amusement, or slight unease. That's the kind of content people share without thinking.

It feels like the future arriving early. AI and robotics have been dominating headlines for two years, but most people have only experienced them through screens — chatbots, image generators, news stories about factory automation. Frank takes the concept from abstract to physical. Seeing a robot move through real space, around real people, makes the future feel suddenly and tangibly close. That shift from digital to physical is powerful.

Melbourne is the perfect city for it. Melbourne has always embraced the unusual. Street art, public performances, quirky pop-ups — the city treats oddities as attractions rather than disruptions. A humanoid robot strolling through the CBD fits the culture perfectly. In another city it might feel jarring. In Melbourne, people gather around, take photos, and treat it like a community event.

The social media loop is self-sustaining. Every person who films Frank and posts it creates another piece of discoverable content. That content reaches people who then want to see Frank in person. When they do, they film their own clip. The cycle feeds itself. Frank doesn't need a marketing budget because every encounter generates organic content.

This is exactly what happens when a robot appears at a corporate event, trade show, birthday party, or wedding. It becomes the single most photographed and shared moment of the entire event. Guests create the content. The host gets the reach. The robot does the work.

How to Hire a Robot Like Frank for Your Event

You don't need to be a viral sensation to bring a humanoid robot to your event. RobotForHire provides professional robot hire for events across Australia, using the same Unitree G1 EDU platform that's been captivating Melbourne.

Our robot Rocco is available for:

Birthday parties — create an unforgettable arrival moment for kids, teens, or adult celebrations. The robot greets guests, poses for photos, and delivers custom messages. It becomes the centrepiece of the party without needing a script or a stage. Learn more about robot hire for birthday parties.

Corporate events and product launches — use the robot as a greeter, roaming conversation starter, or branded engagement tool. Program it with company messaging, product talking points, or event-specific dialogue. It draws attention, starts conversations, and gives guests something genuinely memorable to talk about. See our corporate event packages.

Trade shows and exhibitions — Frank proves that a robot draws a crowd. At a trade show, that crowd is standing at your booth instead of walking past it. Our robots generate foot traffic, start conversations with prospects, and create shareable social content that extends your reach well beyond the event floor. Explore trade show robot hire.

Weddings — robot ring bearers, ushers, guest greeters, or reception entertainment. A humanoid robot at a wedding creates the kind of photos and stories that define the event for years. Discover robot hire for weddings.

Office parties and ceremonies — from Christmas parties to award nights, graduation ceremonies to team milestones. The robot works for mixed-age groups, formal and informal settings, and any room size. See office party packages or ceremony packages.

Every booking includes delivery, setup, a professional on-site operator for the entire duration, pre-event consultation, custom programming, and public liability insurance. We handle everything — you just enjoy the event.

We serve events across Sydney, Melbourne, and all major Australian cities.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Robot Like Frank?

The cost of hiring a humanoid robot for an event depends on the event type, duration, location, and level of customisation. We provide tailored quotes for every booking because no two events are the same.

Factors that affect pricing include the length of the hire (hourly or half-day blocks), the type of event (corporate activations typically involve more complex programming than private parties), travel requirements (events outside Sydney may include a travel component), and any custom branding or messaging.

For a full breakdown of what affects pricing and what's included in a standard booking, read our complete robot hire pricing guide.

To get a quote for your specific event, contact us directly — we respond within 24 hours with a transparent, itemised price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire the actual Frank robot? Frank from Future (@frankfromfuture) is a separate entity. RobotForHire offers the same type of humanoid robot — a Unitree G1 EDU — for professional event hire across Australia. Our robot Rocco provides the same visual impact and crowd engagement you've seen in Frank's viral videos.

What type of robot is Frank from Future? Frank appears to be based on a Unitree G1 humanoid robot platform, manufactured by Unitree Robotics. The G1 stands approximately 1.32 metres tall, weighs around 35 kilograms, and features advanced movement with 23+ degrees of freedom.

Is the robot safe for events with children? Yes. Every RobotForHire booking includes a professional on-site operator who supervises the robot throughout the event. The Unitree G1 is equipped with depth cameras and 3D LiDAR sensors for environmental awareness, and our operators are trained to manage interactions with guests of all ages.

How far in advance do I need to book? We recommend booking at least two to four weeks ahead, especially for weekend events during peak season. For corporate activations and large-scale events, earlier booking ensures availability and allows time for custom programming.

Do you serve events outside Sydney? Yes. We operate across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, and regional Australia. Events outside our base city may include a travel component, which we factor transparently into the quote.

The Future Is Already Walking Down Your Street

Frank from Future has shown Melbourne — and Australia — what happens when a humanoid robot steps out of the tech headlines and into the real world. The fascination, the engagement, the unstoppable social media momentum.

That same energy is available for your next event. Whether it's a corporate launch that needs a crowd magnet, a birthday party that deserves something unforgettable, or a trade show booth that can't afford to blend in, a humanoid robot creates the moment everyone remembers.

Book Rocco for your next event or call us on +61 481 841 899.