The world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing championship recently took place in Hangzhou, China, featuring Unitree G1 humanoid robots squaring off in combat. The event, part of the China Media Group World Robot Competition, showcased four robots controlled remotely by human handlers, mimicking real kickboxing moves with punches, kicks, and defensive maneuvers.
One of the standout moments came when a robot named “AI Strategist” won the championship after defeating “Energy Guardian” with knockouts in all three rounds. The robots, standing 130 cm tall and weighing 35 kg, were trained using motion-capture technology to learn from human fighters. While their movements were impressively lifelike, some robots struggled with balance, leading to dramatic falls during matches.
This event is part of a broader push to integrate AI and robotics into sports, with future competitions planned for robot football and basketball. The spectacle has sparked both excitement and concern, with some viewers marveling at the technology while others questioning the implications of robots learning to fight.
