Published on: April 19, 2025 / update from: April 19, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
UNITREE Iron Fist King: Awakening! -UNTREE Robotics announces the first robot boxing fight worldwide-Science fiction is reality-Image: Unitree
Unitree sends robots into the ring: spectacle or real progress?
From dancing to boxing: Unitree demonstrates robot progress with warnings
The Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics causes a stir with an unusual announcement: in about a month, two humanoid robots are to compete against each other in a live box fight. The first video recordings already show test fights that give an insight into the skills of the robots. The event, under the title “Unitree Iron Fist King: Awakening!” should take place, mark a remarkable step in the development of movement skills of humanoid robots and could become the world's first live boxing between robots.
Suitable for:
The announcement and the concept
UNITREE ROBOTICS announced on April 10, 2025 on platform X to organize a boxing match between two of his humanoid robots. The fight is to take place in about a month and broadcast live. Under the dramatic title “Unitree Iron Fist King: Awakening!” the event is supposed to demonstrate the advanced movement skills of the robots and possibly herald a new era of robot sports.
The exact date and the details about the transmission have not yet been announced. It is a new format that tries to implement science fiction visions into reality and beats a bridge between entertainment and technological innovation.
Preliminary demonstration and test fights
To support the announcement, Unitreree has published a promotional video that gives the first insight into the struggle skills of its robots. In this video, the authenticity of which was confirmed by the company, you can first see how a G1 robot competes against a human boxer. This sequence is still quite bumpy - the robot reacts slowly, but can get up immediately after a precipitation.
In a second sequence, two G1 robots compete against each other, with similar difficulties to be observed. The fights clearly show the current limits of robot technology: delayed response times, limited evasive maneuvers and problems with balance after hits. Interestingly, the robots in some scenes also show more advanced kung fu movements, which raises questions about the possible digital post-processing of the video.
The robots in the spotlight
Models and technical specifications
Unitree has not explicitly mentioned which robot models are used for the fight. However, the advance notice and the video material shown indicate the use of the G1 model. The UNTREE G1 is a 1.32 meter humanoid robot with a weight of around 47 kg and a maximum payload of 2 kg. It can move at up to 7.2 km/h, which corresponds to a cozy jogging pace, and its 9000 mAh battery should be enough for about two hours.
Alternatively, the more advanced H1 could also be used - with 1.80 meters significantly larger than the G1 and with improved computing power and more liquid movement control. The H1 is considered the company's flagship model and is available for around $ 16,000.
Movement control and technological basics
The movement skills of the robots are based on a complex motion capture data set called Lafan1. This records movements of real people including joint angles, end positions and speed restrictions. As a result, the robots can theoretically perform sporty movements such as targeted blocks or rotary kicks, even if the practical implementation remains behind the theoretical potential.
In the past, UNTREE has continuously improved the full -body movement control and already taught its robots like a human -like walking, dancing and various sports movements. The surroundings scan the robots with an integrated lidar system and two deep sensors.
Suitable for:
Previous successes and demonstration of skills
Dance performances and smooth movements
As early as February 2025, UNTREE attracted attention with videos that showed the G1 robot with exceptionally smooth dance performances. At that time, the company demonstrated that the robot can carry out choreographed dances and coordinate its leg and foot work precisely.
In January, UniTree also released recordings of its robot models H1, H1-2 and G1, which performed human-like dance movements. These demonstrations underlined the improved movement options of the robots and their ability to compensate for external disorders and to maintain balance.
From dancing to boxing
The step from dancing to boxing represents a logical development, albeit a more technically demanding one. While dancing mainly requires preprogrammed movements, a boxing match requires reactive skills, quick adjustments and a dynamic balance. The previous test fights show that there is still a need for development, especially in the response time and the ability to avoid strokes.
Classification and perspectives
Between technical innovation and entertainment
The announced boxing match is to be understood as a technical demonstration and as an entertainment spectacle. On the one hand, Unitree presents the advanced movement and control skills of its robots, on the other hand, the company uses the format of a boxing struggle to generate public attention.
Experts suspect that the event is primarily a PR gag, since the current services of the robots are still far from a dynamic, human-like boxing match. Nevertheless, the event marks an interesting milestone in the development of humanoid robots and its movement skills.
Future developments and potential
It can be assumed that UniTree will make some improvements in the box performance of its robots before the announced struggle. The demonstration could also serve as a test field for new movement algorithms and reaction patterns that could be used in future generations of robotic generations.
In the long term, the development could lead to a new form of robot entertainment, in which humanoid robots compete against each other in various sports or competitions. This would not only offer entertainment value, but also act as drivers for innovations in robotics.
Humanoid robots in use: Boxing struggle tests technological limits
The boxing match between Humanoid robots announced by UNTREE Robotics is a remarkable attempt to explore and expand the limits of current robot technology. Although the first test battles still reveal significant restrictions, especially in response and balance, the initiative shows the growing potential of humanoid robots for complex physical interactions.
The event, which is expected to take place in May 2025, could go down in the history of robotics as a historical moment-as the first live box fight between robots. Regardless of the actual sporting level, she will undoubtedly give a fascinating insight into the current level of development of humanoid robots and may pave the way for new applications and competition forms.
Your global marketing and business development partner
☑️ Our business language is English or German
☑️ NEW: Correspondence in your national language!
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve you and my team as a personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) . My email address is: wolfenstein ∂ xpert.digital
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
