Robotics company Unitree Robotics has announced Unitree Fist King: Awakening on its X social media page. It’s a boxing match that will take place in about a month, pitting two humanoid robots in the ring.
Image source: @UnitreeRobotics / X
Along with the announcement of the fight, Unitree released a short video demonstrating test fights with robots. The video shows how the Unitree G1 robot first boxes with a human, and then confronts the same robot. The robots’ movements are still far from the smooth and fast style of a professional boxer. Slow reaction, problems with balance, and limited ability to dodge punches are clearly visible. In a real fight with a human, such a robot would most likely have no chance. However, a fight between two such robots can certainly be turned into a spectacular fight.
The exact date of the robot boxing match has not been announced, it is only known that there is about a month left until the event and it will be broadcast live. The company has also not officially announced which robot models will box, but it is likely that we are talking about the G1 robots, which have already demonstrated their kung fu skills. However, there is a significant difference between the G1’s movements during a kung fu demonstration and during a boxing training session. As an alternative, the more advanced Unitree H1 robot, which is currently the company’s flagship product, may enter the ring.