In a cyber underground basement in San Francisco, REK0 (the UFC of ROBOTS) organized the first-ever Western underground robot cage fight. We have collected the interesting clips for you.
This was the first robot combat where warrior robots—two Unitree G1 models—were controlled via VR simulation. Justin Kan (founder of Twitch) and Hyder Amil (UTC fighter) piloted the machines, with a UFC referee and atmosphere to match.
This is a historic event, and we at Robohorizon magazine are proud to have been a part of it—just look for our logo on the right leg of the red robot.
However, we must add that this is a divisive genre. We ourselves don’t particularly like seeing these robots in combat and aggressive situations; their purpose should be to support and help people. This is not in question; it must be the priority.
Let’s be honest: if we take a step back, many activities we call ‘sports’ can seem quite strange and, from a certain perspective, pointless. This robot combat might just be the 21st-century version of such an outlet. Some people constitutionally need a way to blow off steam, and this offers a high-tech solution. It’s certainly a better alternative than humans causing each other potentially permanent injuries.
Perhaps this is comparable to video games or science fiction.
Instead of the planned five rounds, the blue robot won by what can be called a knockout in the third round. It must be difficult to control them, or perhaps there’s some delay, because it wasn’t easy for the operators to aim precisely. But after a few clean hits, the red robot lost its arm, and then, presumably after head injuries, the fighters became virtually incapacitated.
