Humanoid robots in China recently demonstrated impressive combat abilities during a special event at a school in Hangzhou City, ahead of the world’s first-ever robot boxing match scheduled for May 25. Developed by Unitree Robotics, these advanced robots showcased their capabilities in a live performance aimed at both testing their systems and engaging students with a hands-on science and technology experience.

Figure 1. World’s First Robot Boxing Match

The demonstration featured a variety of combat moves, including straight punches, hook punches, sidekicks, aerial spin kicks, and recovery techniques such as standing up after a fall. In addition to their fighting skills, the robots completed a 40-minute jogging session on the school’s basketball court, drawing loud cheers from the audience and showcasing their endurance. Figure 1 shows World’s First Robot Boxing Match.

Key Trial Before the Big Match

The school event served as a crucial test for the robots ahead of the upcoming competition. According to Chu Yang from Unitree’s marketing team, the robots operate through a human-machine collaboration model, using three distinct control methods. "The most common method involves manual control using a simple controller," he said. "The other two newly developed modes will be unveiled during Sunday’s match."

Performance and Competition

The upcoming boxing event, to be held at the Hangzhou Mech Combat Arena, will feature Unitree’s humanoid robots in two segments: a performance match and a competitive bout. The performance section will include solo and group demonstrations of combat techniques, while the competitive portion will pit robots against one another in a controlled fight environment.

Training Robots with Human Movement

These demonstrations and competitions play a vital role in helping humanoid robots better understand and interact with the physical world. By analyzing human motion data, engineers aim to improve the robots' flexibility, coordination, and ability to replicate human actions with precision.

A major focus is on efficient data collection for robot training, which remains a challenge for large-scale deployment. Current methods include remote control, motion capture, and the use of large AI models. Motion capture, in particular, stands out for its precision and comprehensive data-gathering capabilities, making it a leading approach for training humanoid robots.

Controlled by Human Operators

During the boxing event, robot actions will be directed by human operators, ensuring safety and allowing for real-time control of the complex Maneuvers [1]. As the world anticipates this groundbreaking competition, the event marks a significant step forward in both robotics innovation and the integration of humanoids into dynamic, real-world activities.

Reference

1. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-humanoid-robot-perform-boxing

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), Chinese Humanoid Robots Showcase Advanced Combat Abilities in Lead-Up to World’s First Robot Boxing Match, AnaTechMaz, pp.195