Humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics made history in China by participating in the world’s first-ever kickboxing matches, a groundbreaking moment in robotics.
The inaugural competition, known as the China Media Group (CMG) World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series, began on May 25 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
The matches, broadcasted by state-owned Chinese Central Television, featured four Unitree G1 robots paired with their human trainers. Each robot stands 132 centimeters tall and weighs about 35 kilograms.
Each fight consisted of two parts: the first required robots to demonstrate various movements, while the second involved three two-minute rounds of combat.
Scoring was based on successful hits to the opponent’s head or body, with punches earning one point and kicks worth three. Robots lost points for falling, and if they failed to get up within eight seconds, they lost even more points, ending the round.
Footage from the matches revealed that while the robots could punch and kick, their strikes were more like gentle pushes than powerful hits.
Some robots struggled to maintain their balance after executing kicks or moving backward, but most managed to get back on their feet after a short pause. The trainers operated the robots remotely using joysticks.
Wang Qixin, a director at Unitree, explained to CCTV that teaching robots to perform various movements is a challenging task. They utilized artificial intelligence technology to train the robots effectively.
To achieve this, they recorded the movements of professional kickboxers, allowing the robots to learn these actions in a simulated environment.
Li Gaofeng, a researcher at Zhejiang University, mentioned that the event showcased significant advancements in China’s humanoid robotics over the past six to twelve months.
He noted that just six months ago, it was hard to believe that humanoid robots could execute such fluid movements.
Combat sports present a unique challenge for humanoid robots due to the need for quick reactions and precise movements in response to opponents.
These requirements put a strain on the robots’ algorithms, electronic components, and speed reducers, which help control their movements.
Experts in the field believe that the kickboxing match has created a “train-through-competition” model that will benefit China’s rapidly growing robotics industry and foster innovation in technology.
Tian Feng, a former dean at SenseTime’s Intelligence Industry Research Institute, stated that combat sports require complete body coordination, effective arm movement, battery longevity, and durable materials.
In December, a Shenzhen-based robotics company, EngineAI, plans to host a large-scale combat match featuring full-sized humanoid robots to highlight the latest advancements in AI and robotics.
Just four months prior, Unitree’s H1 humanoid robots amazed audiences by performing dance routines with people during the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala.
In March, the G1 robots showcased their agility with impressive side-flips and kick-ups, demonstrating progress since last year’s backflips.
Some commentators suggested that Unitree has outpaced Boston Dynamics, as their Atlas robot can only perform basic cartwheels. However, others argued that Boston Dynamics’ robots are superior due to their more precise and stable movements.
In April, Unitree released videos showing a kickboxing match between a G1 robot and a human boxer, as well as a match between two G1 robots. The human boxer easily defeated the robot, which weighed only half as much.
The company has urged users not to make dangerous modifications or use the robots in unsafe ways.
A columnist from Mydrivers.com pointed out that the G1 robot’s reactions were slower than those of humans and that its strikes lacked precision.
Additionally, a security camera captured footage of a Unitree H1 robot attempting to attack developers during a factory test.
The robot, which was initially inactive, suddenly began flailing its limbs, but an engineer managed to shut it down before it could cause harm.
This incident went viral, raising concerns about the safety of humanoid robots, especially as Chinese manufacturers plan to introduce these technologies into homes within the next three to five years.
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