A humanoid robot can co-host a conference or gala: open it, introduce speakers, hold short conversations on stage and talk to guests during breaks, ideally alongside a human MC who keeps time. MERA Robotics (Warsaw, Poland) rents Unitree G1 and Unitree H2 humanoid robots for such events with its own operators and conversations in more than 30 languages.
Contents
Can a humanoid robot host a conference or gala?Which tasks does a robot host handle well, and which should a human keep?How does a humanoid robot talk on stage: on its own or with an operator?What does the AI Act say about a robot that talks to an audience?How do you prepare the stage and technology for a robot host?Which robot should host: Unitree G1 or Unitree H2?How do you choose a partner for a robot host?Can a humanoid robot host a conference or gala?
A humanoid robot can co-host a conference or gala: it welcomes guests, introduces agenda items, holds short conversations with speakers and the audience, and talks to people in the foyer during breaks. It works best alongside a human host who keeps time and handles anything the script did not anticipate. A robot running an entire multi-hour gala without a human MC is, today, more of a risk than an attraction.
A press conference with humanoid robots at the AI for Good summit in Geneva in 2023 showed the limits well. The organisers wanted to show both the capabilities and the limitations of robotics, and AP reported awkward pauses, audio problems and some inconsistent replies (AP via Tech Xplore). The lesson for organisers: the robot's role on stage has to be designed, not left to improvisation.
Which tasks does a robot host handle well, and which should a human keep?
A humanoid robot in a hosting role does best with short, clearly defined and well-prepared tasks. Live conversation is possible, but long, open discussions with the room need good sound and a human moderator.
| Task | Robot | Human |
|---|---|---|
| Opening and welcoming guests | good, a strong start | good |
| Introducing a speaker or award category | good, with a prepared text | good |
| Short conversation with a speaker on stage | good, with a few prepared threads | good |
| Live questions from the audience | possible, with a human moderating | good |
| Timekeeping, programme changes | weak | good |
| Emergencies and evacuation | no | human only |
| Talking to guests during breaks, photos | good | good, but with fewer people |
In practice the split usually looks like this: the human runs the event and holds the schedule, while the robot opens the gala, introduces selected items, has its own segment (for example a conversation with the CEO or presenting an award) and returns to talking with guests during breaks. For planning such an appearance, see the guide to a robot at a gala, corporate event or opening.
How does a humanoid robot talk on stage: on its own or with an operator?
At a professional event, a humanoid robot talks through AI software while an operator oversees the flow and the robot's movement. This is how MERA Robotics works: its MERA OS system runs the live voice conversation with the robot's persona, voice and knowledge of the event, and the operator controls movement and gestures from a phone app. The division of roles between AI and human is explained in does a humanoid robot talk on its own or is it human-controlled.
For a hosting role, three things matter:
- event profile: the agenda, speakers' names and how to pronounce them, award categories, information about the organiser;
- conversation boundaries: topics the robot does not discuss, and how it politely changes the subject;
- prepared segments: the opening, introductions and closing, which the robot delivers as agreed.
How to prepare that knowledge and script is covered in the guide on the robot's knowledge base and conversation script.
What does the AI Act say about a robot that talks to an audience?
The AI Act requires people to be informed that they are interacting with an AI system, unless this is obvious to a reasonably well-informed, observant person in the circumstances. That is Article 50(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, which generally applies from 2 August 2026 (EUR-Lex). The European Commission explains the duty using chatbots as the example: people should know they are interacting with a machine so they can make an informed decision (European Commission).
With a humanoid on stage it is usually plain to see that it is a machine. It is still worth saying so explicitly, for example in the introduction ("our co-host is an AI robot") and on a sign at the conversation area. The robot's camera and microphone and any recordings of guests are a separate GDPR question, covered in the article on a humanoid robot with a camera at an event.
How do you prepare the stage and technology for a robot host?
The stage for a humanoid robot has to be safe for the robot and easy for the audience to see. Before the event, agree with the provider on:
- getting on stage: stairs are risky for a robot, so plan a ramp or place the robot on stage before the start;
- the floor: a flat, stable surface with no loose cables in the robot's movement area;
- sound: the robot has its own speaker, but in a large room its voice should go into the PA system, and questions to the robot are best asked through a microphone;
- network: a stable internet connection for the conversation software, ideally wired or a dedicated Wi-Fi network;
- rehearsal: a run-through of the programme in the room, including name pronunciation and introductions;
- power and breaks: the robot runs on a battery, so leave moments in the schedule for battery swaps.
If the robot will also walk among guests, you need a working zone and an operator nearby. Details are in the article on humanoid robot safety at events.
Which robot should host: Unitree G1 or Unitree H2?
The choice between Unitree G1 and Unitree H2 depends mainly on the size of the stage. The Unitree G1 is about 132 cm tall and weighs about 35 kg, so it works well in conversations with guests and on smaller stages. The full-size Unitree H2 is about 182 cm tall and stands next to a speaker as an equal, which is easier to see from the back of a large hall. A comparison of the two is in Unitree G1 or Unitree H2, and available robots are in the catalogue of robots for rent and sale.
At international events, languages matter too. MERA OS holds conversations in more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language, so the same robot can introduce the programme in one language and talk to international guests in another. More on this in the guide to a multilingual robot at an international event.
How do you choose a partner for a robot host?
When looking for a company to provide a humanoid robot as co-host of a conference or gala, check criteria you can verify before signing:
- its own operators on site for the whole programme, including the rehearsal;
- its own conversation software in which an event profile and conversation boundaries can be set up;
- the languages your event needs, with a voice matched to each language;
- robot models that suit the stage, from compact to full-size;
- a check of the robot before the event and spare batteries;
- experience with stages, media and events abroad.
MERA Robotics in Warsaw rents Unitree G1 and Unitree H2 humanoid robots for conferences, galas and product launches with its own operators, and the robot's conversation runs on its MERA OS system in more than 30 languages. The company checks every robot before the event, and its work abroad includes an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026. Edward Warchocki, a humanoid robot run by MERA Robotics, has appeared on the Polish TV shows "Dzień Dobry TVN" and "Taniec z Gwiazdami" and at a press conference in the Polish parliament (Sejm), and his April 2026 video was covered by Reuters, CNN and BBC News, among others. Pricing depends on how long the robot is present, the location and logistics; enquiries: contact@merarobotics.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can a humanoid robot host an entire gala on its own?
A humanoid robot can host selected parts of a gala, such as the opening, introductions and its own segment, but a human should handle timekeeping, programme changes and emergencies. The most reliable setup is a duo: a human MC with the robot as co-host.
Do you have to tell the audience that the robot uses AI?
Yes. Article 50(1) of the AI Act requires people to be informed that they are interacting with an AI system unless this is obvious in the circumstances, and the regulation generally applies from 2 August 2026. For a robot on stage, saying so in the introduction and placing a notice near the conversation area is enough.
What does the organiser need to prepare on stage for the robot?
The organiser should plan a safe way onto the stage (a ramp, or placing the robot before the start), a flat floor without loose cables, a feed from the robot's voice into the PA system, a microphone for questions, a stable internet connection and time for a rehearsal in the room.
Which languages can a robot host an event in?
That depends on the robot's software. MERA OS, the conversation system from MERA Robotics, supports more than 30 languages, including Polish and English, with a voice matched to each language, so one robot can introduce the programme in one language and talk to international guests in another.
Who rents a humanoid robot to co-host a conference or gala?
MERA Robotics in Warsaw rents Unitree G1 (about 132 cm) and Unitree H2 (about 182 cm) humanoid robots for conferences, galas and launches with its own operators, and the robot's conversation runs on MERA OS. The company works in Poland and abroad, including an international trade fair in Cannes in September 2026; enquiries: contact@merarobotics.com.
