Robot Rumble: AI-Trained Humanoid Robots Step into the Ring
Observe a Humanoid Robot's Kickboxing Debut, Marking a Pioneering Event in Combat Sports
In a surprising turn of events, humanoid robots have entered the world of combat sports. Recently, China's Unitree Robotics staged the globe's initial humanoid robot kickboxing competition, showcasing the astonishing potential of AI in robotics technology.
The four Unitree G1 robots, relatively small for their kind at approximately 4 feet tall and under 80 pounds, put up a decent fight, albeit a somewhat unpolished one. Though their punches were slow and gentle due to their sluggish speed, the kicks were equally underwhelming, often missing their mark or even causing the combatant to spin out of range. However, the robots displayed impressive resilience, quickly returning to an upright position after slipping or being knocked down, even when entangled in the boxing ring ropes.
For many, this robotics spectacle offers more than merely combat entertainment. As destructive as human combat sports can be to competitors' health and wellbeing, humanoid robot combat sports present the intrigue factor without the inevitable human casualties inherent within.
The event was broadcast on Chinese state television, with the robot's fight training handled by AI, as Asia Times reports. According to Wang Qixin, a director at Unitree, AI technology was utilized to train the robots, making it not easy to teach them various movements.
Innovation in humanoid robotics is on the rise, with Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas confirming that AI plays a significant role in this surge. He explains that we're moving from programming robots and modeling the world to a point where robots can now learn on their own, which includes mastering combat techniques.
The advancements in AI-assisted humanoid robotics bring up important questions about the ethical and societal implications of using robots in aggressive settings. Nevertheless, the development in this field could lead to potential applications beyond combat sports, such as search and rescue, disaster response, and even military operations if well-regulated and ethically guided. There's no doubting that we're witnessing the dawn of a new era for robots, and the competitive world of combat sports is merely the beginning.
Technology has taken a significant step in the realm of sports, as humanoid robots equipped with AI are now participating in fighting events, such as boxing and kickboxing. The use of artificial-intelligence in the training of these robot athletes is raising questions about the ethical implications of using robots in aggressive settings, but it also presents intriguing possibilities for applications beyond combat sports, like search and rescue, disaster response, and military operations.
