Chinese robots have performed complex moves like humans during the world’s first humanoid robot boxing match held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Robots demonstrated a wide range of combat skills and slammed powerful punches during the live-streamed showdown.
Robots, developed by Unitree Robotics, stunned viewers as innovations performed like humans in the boxing ring.
Titled Mecha Fighting Series, the event proved robots’ battery endurance and material durability. It also showcased real-time efficacy of full-body coordination, and innovations’ upper limb capabilities.
Robots’ participation in the tournament-styled series of boxing matches was controlled by four human operator teams. Robots showcased their boxing capabilities one-on-one and in groups during the event.
The robot battle offered high-pressure movement to test innovations in fast-paced scenarios and their tough skill set. It’s also expected to boost innovation in perception, control, and execution technology in robotics.
Unitree’s G1 robots took part in the event. Videos appeared on social media platforms show robots perfectly slamming punches against each other during the fight. However, there were some movements when robots’ actions were not properly synchronised. They were seen slamming punches in a wrong direction while rival robot stood somewhere else.
Robot with black headgear became the champion
Reports revealed that the first boxing match was won by a robot that had pink headgear. While the overall champion was a bipedal with black headgear. The bipedal robot won the competition after it counterattacked the opponent’s tough punches, and the rival robot (with green headgear) could not maintain its balance and fell to the ground.
During the final match, both robots were seen punching and kicking each other.
Chen Xiyun, a marketing team member of Unitree Robotics, told the Global Times, that the robots fight in a human-machine collaborative way. The member also highlighted that the robots demonstrated straight punches, hook punches, sidekicks and aerial spin kicks, and they even got up from the ground after falling.
Self-balancing and mobility played key role
Before the event, robots were trained for their combat readiness as the developers believed that such innovations must have a sufficient self-balancing ability. They also believed that robots’ mobility and movements must be smooth and precise enough to take part in boxing matches.
The G1 robot, which has smooth motion control, showcased impressive human-like skills during the fight. Equipped with advanced computing power, G1 was designed by Unitree to operate in challenging conditions. Standing 1.32 meters tall, the robot also offers enhanced flexibility and agility.
Experts also revealed that the boxing match showcases China’s advancements in AI and robotics. It also offers a glimpse of how combat sports demand full-body coordination, requiring operators to master remote control ability with swift adjust tactics to respond to rivals’ moves during a combat scenerios. Such events can also help to assess remote-controlled robots’ performance for their battle readiness or combat exposure, showcasing their strength, learning, and adaptability.
[interestingengineering]