Policy · Updated 9 Oct, 01:36 am IST

California orders halt to robot-vs-human fight after September match

Why it matters for readers: It's a real-world example of how law and safety rules apply when robots are used in human sports events.

The commission labelled the September 18 bout 'unsanctioned' and demanded Rek stop holding or promoting boxing or MMA contests involving any human in California without approval.1
The September 18 fight matched fighter Frankie LaPenna against a humanoid robot owned by startup Rek, piloted via a remote virtual-reality system.1
Rek's robot appears to be from EngineAI with a changed head, and Rek describes itself as 'the humanoid robot fighting league' on its website.1
Rek CEO Cix Liv posted the commission's cease-and-desist letter to X on September 30.1
Rek planned a subsequent match featuring two robots with weapons, scheduled for 'Friday' according to the report.1

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