According to Unitree director Wang Qixin, AI technology and motion capture techniques were utilized by the robotics company to train the robots in performing authentic combat movements.
Four robots equipped with artificial intelligence were tested in a Chinese robot combat competition, engaging in kickboxing bouts until a single winner was ultimately declared the champion.
According to a May 26 report from the state-owned Global Times, the World Robot Competition Mecha Fighting Series featured four robots constructed by the China-based company Unitree, which were operated by human controllers. These robots competed across three two-minute rounds, with the victors being determined based on a points-based scoring system.
Chen Xiyun, a member of the Unitree team, explained that the robots engage in combat through a “human-machine collaborative” approach, in which the machines are pre-trained with combat techniques, but their actions are ultimately directed by a human operator.
The robots were reported to weigh 35 kilograms and to stand at a height of 132 centimeters. Prior to the boxing matches, these compact machines were subjected to testing in order to showcase various kicking and punching techniques, aiding event organizers in the refinement of competition rules.
Advancement to the next match was granted to the team that accumulated the highest number of points over the course of three rounds. A head punch was assigned a value of one point, while a head kick earned three points. A deduction of five points was applied if a robot fell, and a ten-point penalty was enforced if the robot remained down for more than eight seconds.
AI Employed to Train Robots in Real Combat Techniques
While the event was being livestreamed on the state broadcaster CCTV, it was stated by Unitree director Wang Qixin that “AI technology was employed to enable the robots to learn.”
He explained that the initial process involves motion capture being conducted using professional combat athletes. Using the data collected from their movements, the robot is then trained to replicate those actions within a virtual environment.
In one of the event’s opening bouts, a robot wearing pink headgear faced off against an opponent in black headgear. Following a series of occasionally misdirected punches and kicks, the robot in black became the first to be knocked down after attempting a kick and losing its balance.
Nevertheless, the robot outfitted in black made a strong comeback in the third round by delivering a front kick that resulted in a knockdown of its pink-clad opponent. A second knockdown occurred when the black robot leaped onto the pink one, pinning it down to secure the victory.
The robots dressed in pink and red were both eliminated from the competition, resulting in the black-clad and green-armored bots advancing to face each other in the final match. In the end, the robot in black was named the champion after achieving a higher score than its rival.
A separate event featuring full-sized robots has reportedly been scheduled to take place in December in Guangdong Province, located in southern China.
