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, human controllers operated four robots built by the China-based company Unitree in the World Robot Competition Mecha Fighting Series. The robots competed across three two-minute rounds, with victors determined by a points-based scoring system.
Chen Xiyun, a member of the Unitree team, explained that the robots fight using a “human-machine collaborative” approach, where machines pre-train with combat techniques but a human operator ultimately directs their actions.
Reports indicated that the robots weigh 35 kilograms and stand 132 centimeters tall. Before the boxing matches, testers showcased various kicking and punching techniques with these compact machines to help event organizers refine the competition rules.
The team that accumulated the highest number of points over three rounds advanced to the next match. Judges assigned one point for a head punch and three points for a head kick. They deducted five points if a robot fell and enforced a ten-point penalty if the robot stayed down for more than eight seconds.
AI Employed to Train Robots in Real Combat Techniques
While CCTV livestreamed the event, Unitree director Wang Qixin stated that “AI technology enabled the robots to learn.”
He explained that professional combat athletes initially conduct motion capture. Using the data collected from their movements, trainers then teach the robot 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. After throwing a series of occasionally misdirected punches and kicks, the robot in black became the first to fall when it lost its balance while attempting a kick.
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 both lost in the competition, allowing the black-clad and green-armored bots to advance and face each other in the final match. In the end, the robot in black won the championship by scoring higher than its rival.
Organizers have reportedly scheduled a separate event featuring full-sized robots for December in Guangdong Province, southern China.
