Featured Image Credit: CCTV
Like the movie Real Steel, we're watching robots duke it out for our own twisted entertainment.
While we're not quite at Transformers level with massive bots smashing their way through the city, the world's first robot kickboxing championship has us wondering what's next.
Startup firm Unitree Robotics organized the kickboxing championship in China's Hangzhou.
This comes just weeks after Beijing held host to the world’s first half-marathon where robots were allowed to race alongside humans.
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Organized by China Media Group and broadcast live on China Central Television (CCTV), four Unitree G1 robots took each other on in a series of one-on-one matches.
Each G1 robot stands at 130 centimetres tall and weighs 35 kilograms.
Wearing protective headgear and kickboxing gloves, you'd be forgiven for thinking there were actual humans inside. Instead, the real humans stood at the side of the ring and controlled the G1s via remote control.
Liu Tai, deputy chief engineer at China Telecommunication Technology Labs, explained how the robots are run on "a whole set of motion-control algorithms powered by large [artificial intelligence] models."
The battling bots "warmed up" by showing off how they're able to kick and punch, also showing off how they can stay balanced while being pushed.
Taking part in two-minute rounds, the G1 robots scored points by striking either the head or trunk of their opponents using their hands or feet.
In the end, Lu Xin's 'AI Strategist’ bested Hu Yunqian's Energy Guardian.
AI Strategist impressively earned knockouts in all three rounds. Posting on the social media platform Weibo, Xin cheered his victory and explained how he went for a 'strong entrepreneurial vibe' that he claims hasn't been seen for a while.
As reported by the South China Morning Post, the timing is crucial as China is aiming big with its robotics plans.
Six out of 11 domestic humanoid robot makers have outlined plans to make more than 1,000 robots in 2025. Among them, Unitree, AgiBot, Galbot, Engine AI, and Leju Robotics are hoping to hit this target.
Things look like they're back on track after it appeared that one of Unitree's bots fell short after the Beijing marathon started.
Unitree later denied that it took part in the race in any official capacity.
Still, it seems the G1 robots have no problems in showing off their impressive skills.
The championship also includes robotic football and robotic basketball matches, although many in the comments were worried about how things are advancing.
One concerned onlooker said: "Wait until you see that running at you wearing full body armor at 50mph and simultaneously shooting in your direction and you knowing that its target hit rate is over 95%!"
Another joked: "This don’t worry me especially when they two cost millions and can’t even throw a punch."
A third maintained, "This definitely isn't real," as others accused the video of being a hoax.
However, unlike Real Steel, this was the real deal.
