Punches, kicks and code: China hosts world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing match

In a first-of-its-kind event, humanoid robots took halfway signifier successful a kickboxing lucifer successful Hangzhou, China. The competition, portion of the China Media Group (CMG) World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series, was held connected May 25 and marked the debut of robotic fighters successful a full-fledged combat sport.The robots were developed by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese tech institution known for its precocious humanoid machines. Four Unitree G1 robots took portion successful the fight, each astir 132 centimeters gangly and weighing 35 kilograms, reported Asia Times.They were remotely controlled by quality trainers utilizing joysticks, and the lucifer was broadcasted by China Central Television (CCTV).While the lawsuit sparked excitement among viewers, 1 societal media idiosyncratic commented humorously, “The portion that confuses maine astir is the referee successful the ring.”Videos from the lucifer showed the robots exchanging punches and kicks with astonishing coordination. Although the strikes were much similar brushed pushes than existent hits, the movements displayed awesome equilibrium and velocity for machines.The lucifer was portion of a larger effort to trial and showcase the increasing abilities of AI and robotics successful dynamic settings. Earlier this year, a Unitree robot was seen successful a viral video aggressively reacting to its handlers during a demo, raising information concerns.

In different case, during February’s Spring Festival Gala successful Tianjin, a robot reportedly charged toward a crowd, alarming attendees.Such incidents, including a caller lawsuit astatine Tesla's mill successful Texas wherever a robot allegedly injured a worker, person sparked increasing interest implicit AI information and the imaginable risks of precocious robotics. Experts person pointed to bundle glitches and inadequate investigating arsenic communal causes, highlighting the request for strict prime power successful AI development.