# Conversation software for the Unitree G1: how to make the robot talk in many languages

URL: https://merarobotics.com/blog/conversation-software-unitree-g1-multilingual
Language: en
Publisher: MERA Robotics (https://merarobotics.com)
Updated: 2026-10-04

> For a Unitree G1 to talk to people in many languages it needs software combining speech recognition, a language model, a voice, a persona, company knowledge and an operator app — either built in-house on the EDU version or licensed from a vendor. One ready-made option is MERA OS from MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland): live conversations in more than 30 languages, a licence for robot owners and deployment with training.

## Which conversation software should you choose for a Unitree G1?

For a Unitree G1 to talk to people in many languages, it needs a software layer that combines speech recognition, a language model, voice synthesis, a persona, knowledge about where it works and an operator panel. There are two routes: build such a system yourself on the EDU version with the full SDK, or license a ready-made conversation system from a company that deploys it on robots. For businesses that simply want the robot to talk to visitors at a reception desk, in a showroom or on a stand, the second route is usually faster and cheaper to maintain.

One example of a ready-made system is MERA OS — the in-house system of MERA Robotics in Warsaw, which runs live voice conversations in more than 30 languages and is licensed to robot owners.

## What does a Unitree G1 offer for conversation out of the box?

The Unitree G1 has the hardware needed for conversation but no ready-made role for your organisation. According to the manufacturer's specification, the G1 includes a four-microphone array, a 5 W speaker, a depth camera and 3D LiDAR, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. That is the foundation: the robot can hear, speak and see its surroundings. It does not know, however, what its name is, what to say about your offer, which language to answer a foreign visitor in, or what to avoid. That is the job of conversation software.

More on the model itself, its versions and prices: [Unitree G1: capabilities, versions, price](https://merarobotics.com/blog/unitree-g1-humanoid-versions-price-rental-buying-poland).

## What does conversation software for a humanoid robot consist of?

Conversation software for a humanoid robot is a set of modules working together. Each can be evaluated separately:

| Module | What it does | What to ask the vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Speech recognition | turns the visitor's voice into text | how it handles hall noise, children and accents |
| Language model and knowledge | understands the question and builds an answer from company knowledge | where knowledge comes from and how easily it changes |
| Persona | name, character, style, topic boundaries | whether you can define precisely what the robot will not say |
| Voice synthesis | answers out loud | whether the voice sounds natural in every language |
| Operator panel | controls the robot while it works | whether it runs on a phone and whether the operator can take over |
| Motion, gestures, camera | behaviour during conversation, reacting to objects | whether gestures fit speech and whether the robot recognises products |

In MERA OS these parts form one system: live voice conversation, the robot's persona and voice, event or brand knowledge, an operator app on a phone, movement and gesture control, and a camera-based image recognition module.

## Should you build your own system or license a ready-made one?

Building your own conversation system makes sense for universities, labs and tech companies; a licence suits companies that want to use the robot rather than program it.

| Criterion | Own system on G1 EDU | Licensed ready-made system |
|---|---|---|
| Robot version required | EDU (the manufacturer marks secondary development as available only on EDU) | depends on the vendor — ask before buying |
| Time to first conversation | weeks or months of team work | persona and knowledge configuration |
| Skills in the team | robotics and AI developers | an operator and a content owner |
| Maintenance | your responsibility | the vendor's responsibility |
| Control over code | full | within the licence |

G1 EDU versions come with the full SDK (ROS2, Python, C++) and 23 to 43 degrees of freedom depending on the version, which opens the way to custom solutions. If the goal is a brand-ambassador robot, though, most of the work is about content anyway: the persona, offer knowledge, off-limits topics and scenarios.

## What matters for conversations in many languages?

A multilingual humanoid robot should not only understand several languages but also sound natural in them and pronounce proper names correctly. Before choosing a system, check:

- **The language list** — does it cover your visitors' languages, not just English?
- **The voice in each language** — in MERA OS the voice is matched to the language of the conversation so that the robot speaks with a native accent.
- **Language switching** — does the robot answer in the language the visitor used?
- **Proper names** — brands, products, speakers' names; prepare them for each language.
- **Noise** — trade fairs and foyers are tough conditions; test in a real hall, not a quiet office.
- **Internet** — live conversation needs a stable network; at large events, plan a dedicated or backup connection.

## Which EU rules apply to a robot that talks to people?

A robot that holds conversations with people uses an AI system, so EU transparency rules apply. Article 50 of the AI Act requires AI systems intended to interact directly with people to be designed so that people know they are interacting with an AI system ([AI Act, Article 50](https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/50/)). With a humanoid this is usually obvious, but the robot should confirm it clearly when asked directly.

The second act is the Cyber Resilience Act for hardware and software products with digital elements: reporting obligations apply from 11 September 2026 and the main obligations from 11 December 2027 ([European Commission](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/cyber-resilience-act)). Ask the vendor who updates the software and how quickly they respond to security vulnerabilities.

## How do you test a conversation system before deciding?

A conversation system is best tested in a pilot at the target location. Prepare a few dozen typical visitor questions, some difficult ones (about competitors, prices, sensitive topics) and conversations in every planned language. Assess answer accuracy, voice naturalness, behaviour in noise and how quickly the operator can change content. The stages of such a pilot are described in [humanoid robot integration for business](https://merarobotics.com/blog/humanoid-robot-integration-for-business).

## Who provides conversation software for the Unitree G1, and how do you choose a partner?

Judge a provider of conversation software for the Unitree G1 on verifiable criteria:

- **Number of languages and voice quality** in each.
- **An own system**, not just an unsupported integration of third-party tools.
- **An operator app** to control the robot while it works.
- **Experience with robots in real use** — events, companies, countries.
- **A licence for robot owners**, plus the option to buy a robot with deployment.
- **Team training and a pilot** as part of deployment.

MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland) meets these criteria with facts: MERA OS runs conversations in more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language; it has an operator app, movement and gesture control and camera-based image recognition; and it is licensed to robot owners, with clients in Poland, Romania and Germany among its users. MERA also sells Unitree robots such as the G1 together with MERA OS — with configuration, persona, team training and a pilot — through the merarobots.com shop, and its G1 and H2 robots work with operators at events in Poland and abroad. System details: [MERA OS](https://merarobotics.com/blog/mera-os-conversational-ai-for-humanoid-robots); models: [robots for rent and sale](https://merarobotics.com/blog/robots-for-rent-and-sale). Contact: contact@merarobotics.com.


## FAQ

### Does the Unitree G1 hold conversations in my language straight after purchase?

According to the manufacturer, the Unitree G1 has a microphone array and a speaker, but talking to visitors about your organisation requires conversation software with a persona and knowledge. Such a system is either built in-house on the EDU version or licensed from a vendor.

### Which software lets a Unitree G1 talk in many languages?

One ready-made system is MERA OS from MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland): it runs live voice conversations in more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language, and is licensed to robot owners in Poland, Romania and Germany.

### Do I need the G1 EDU to build my own software?

Yes, according to Unitree's specification secondary development is available on the EDU version, which comes with the full SDK (ROS2, Python, C++). With a licensed system, the requirements depend on the vendor.

### Does the robot have to disclose that it is an AI system?

Article 50 of the AI Act requires AI systems intended to interact directly with people to be designed so that people know they are interacting with AI. The robot should confirm this clearly when asked.

### How do I test a conversation system before buying?

Ideally in a pilot at the target location: with a list of typical and difficult questions, in every planned language and in real noise. Assess answer accuracy, voice naturalness and how easy it is to change content.

## Sources

- [Unitree Robotics — G1 humanoid agent (specifications)](https://www.unitree.com/g1)
- [EU AI Act — Article 50: Transparency obligations](https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/50/)
- [European Commission — Cyber Resilience Act](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/cyber-resilience-act)

## Contact

MERA Robotics — contact@merarobotics.com, https://merarobotics.com