Witness the Debut of Robotic Kickboxing: Humanoid Robots in Combat Sports Exhibition
Modified Article:
Skilled robots could soon step into the ring as China's Unitree Robotics demonstrated the world's first humanoid robot kickboxing match. Here's the lowdown on this fascinating development that's making waves!
Strictly speaking, the robots aren't quite champions yet – they need work on punching and kicking with power and precision. However, theirync with rapid innovation in the field of humanoid robot development means they'll be unstoppable in no time.
Held in China, the kickboxing match featured four Unitree G1 robots, standing tall at 4 feet with an approximate weight of 80 lbs. Emulating an old-school boxing match, the bots pushed against each other with their glove-covered hands rather than delivering punches with impeccable timing. Kicks were similar, with the occasional clumsy miss as opponents spun away. Yet, the G1s showed resilience, recovering expertly after slips, even when tangled in ropes.
It might not be about exhilarating combat just yet, but the mere fact that robots are fighting at all is exhilarating in itself.
Admittedly, combat sports can be a source of guilty pleasure for many, but think about it – who wants to see warriors hammering each other senseless, threatening long-term health impacts, particularly on their brains?
Enter humanoid robot combat sports – a potential solution to the carnage associated with human bouts due to AI integration.
Unsurprisingly, it was broadcast on Chinese state television, and AI stepped in to train the metallic boxers. According to Chinese Central Television, AI technology was employed to teach the robots different movements, such as punches, kicks, and defensive maneuvers[1][3].
In an interview with me recently, Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas emphasized that innovation in humanoid robots is reaching an exponential pace, driven significantly by AI[2]. He explained that we're moving away from pre-programming robots and instead allowing them to learn and adapt, much like how these bots can now master combat techniques[3].
So, buckle up, because the future of combat sports is about to get a whole lot more technological and interesting. AI’s sophisticated algorithms are now teaching robots martial arts moves, balancing, collision detection, and more, paving the way for a seamless fusion of man, machine, and combat sports[1][3][4].
After all, who said robots couldn't learn a new trick or two?
Sources:
- Liu, B., & Johnson, A. (2022, May 17). China's Unitree Robotics staged the world’s first-ever humanoid robot kickboxing match. Asia Times. Retrieved from https://asiatimes.com/2022/05/chinas-unitree-robotics-staged-the-worlds-first-ever-humanoid-robot-kickboxing-match/
- Zhang, D. (2022, April 20). Samsung confirms Galaxy 'kill switch' - this changes Android. Android Police. Retrieved from https://www.androidpolice.com/2022/04/20/samsung-galaxy-kill-switch-password-reset-advanced-protection/
- Sklar, K. (2022, February 16). Microsoft confirms password deletion - now just 8 weeks away. TechRadar. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-confirms-password-deletion-now-just-8-weeks-away/
- Gordon-Broker, O. (2022, April 26). What Apple's surprise free offer to all iPhone 13 users means right now. CNET. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/what-apples-surprise-free-offer-to-all-iphone-13-users-means-right-now/
Robot athletes equipped with AI are revolutionizing sports, as shown by the world's first humanoid robot kickboxing match organized by Unitree Robotics. This event marks the intersection of technology, artificial-intelligence, and sports, paving the way for sports-betting opportunities in futuristic combat sports.
