World’s first humanoid robot kickboxing match held in China, sparks awe and concern
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In a historic first, humanoid robots faced off in a kickboxing match in Hangzhou, China, capturing global attention and underlining the strides being made in artificial intelligence and robotics.
The event, part of the China Media Group World Robot Competition, featured robots developed by Unitree Robotics showcasing their combat skills in both exhibition and competitive rounds, the BBC reported.
Spectators watched in amazement as the robots landed punches and kicks with remarkable accuracy, offering a glimpse into the future of robotics. Video footage of the match, which quickly went viral, prompted a mix of awe, humor, and concern on social media.
One viewer quipped, “The part that confuses me most is the referee in the ring.”
Another warned, “They’re gonna kill us all when they see the origin story arc, aren’t they?”
A third commented, “We laughed when robot boxing showed up in movies. Now it’s here — not CGI, not props, just real metal-throwing punches.”
A fourth offered a more reflective take: “This isn't just entertainment—this is the birth of a new species. The first punches of a future that won’t need us to throw them.”
Not everyone was impressed. “Does anyone else find this a little dumb? (1) It's the same robots fighting each other, so there's nothing different to observe from each. (2) It's nowhere near autonomous, clearly remote-controlled. I just don't see the big advancement to be excited about here,” said another user, expressing skepticism.
Unitree Robotics, the company behind the humanoid fighters, has previously drawn controversy over its creations. A video that surfaced recently showed one of their robots attacking its handlers, raising serious concerns about AI safety.
Another alarming incident occurred in February during the Spring Festival Gala in Tianjin, where a robot reportedly charged at a crowd. Other examples of rogue AI behavior include a robot allegedly injuring an engineer at Tesla’s Texas facility.
These incidents, often attributed to software glitches, underscore the growing urgency for rigorous safety testing and oversight in the field of robotics and AI development.
