CGTN: Sci-fi becomes reality: China's groundbreaking humanoid fighting championship captivates global audiences
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 May 2025 - China Media Group (CMG) unveiled the world's inaugural humanoid robot fighting competition on Sunday in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, marking a milestone in robotics innovation.
Dubbed the 'Mech Combat Arena Competition,' this high-energy event showcased robots engaging in choreographed combat, performing moves like jabs, uppercuts and kicks. As part of CMG's broader World Robot Competition Series – which includes robot football and basketball – the tournament blends education and entertainment, aiming to popularize cutting-edge robotics through immersive, theme-based spectacles.
How robots learned to fight
Behind the robots' seemingly effortless martial prowess lies a meticulous development process: the bots learn from human 'shifus.'
Engineers collaborated with professional fighters to capture motion data from key body joints during real combat maneuvers. This data was then integrated into the robots' AI-backed control systems, followed by extensive testing and refinement to ensure stability and fluidity.
The result? Machines capable of dynamic, human-like agility under intense duress – a testament to advancements in motion planning and real-time balance control.
Experts laud breakthroughs and future potential
The competition has drawn praise from industry leaders for pushing technological boundaries. Liu Tai, deputy chief engineer at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, called the event 'a thrilling demonstration of stability and coordination in high-intensity scenarios,' highlighting its role in bridging scientific progress with industrial application.
Meanwhile, Sun Tizhong, an official in charge of future industries development in Zhejiang Province, emphasized the region's strategic focus on humanoid robotics, citing its 'explosive potential' and noting Zhejiang's 2024 action plan to foster cross-sector collaboration in the field.
Global audiences embrace the robotic revolution
The tournament resonated far beyond the Chinese mainland. Media outlets in China's Taiwan region hailed it as turning 'sci-fi into reality,' while Taipei youths praised CMG for transforming complex topics like productivity innovation into accessible public discourse. On social media, international viewers flooded CGTN's YouTube channel with enthusiastic reactions:
'This is just the start. Imagine in five years with all the crazy tech advancements.'
'Soon this will become a new world sporting event.'
'The fact that they chose to include kicks... and generally pull it off is impressive.'
'American dreams, all comes true in China.'
From showbiz to real-world applications
The Hangzhou showdown follows April's historic humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing, where the Tiangong Ultra robot completed 21 kilometers in under three hours.
While still a collaborative experiment rather than a pure competition, the race underscored broader ambitions. As engineer Cheng Xuemei noted, the technology behind these feats could revolutionize elder care, hazardous environment operations and industrial automation.
With China projected to produce over 10,000 humanoid robots by 2025 – claiming more than half the global market – the nation's robotics sector appears poised to reshape both industry and daily life worldwide.
For more information, please click:
Hashtag: #CGTN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
32 minutes ago
- The Star
Tailored mindfulness techniques for different types of anxiety
Although mindfulness is generally useful in easing anxiety and stress, it doesn't work the same for everybody. — AFP In a world full of constant obligations, notifications and pressures, it's becoming urgent to find simple ways of making our daily lives more manageable. Mindfulness is one such practice, and it's gaining ground. Now, an American study suggests that different kinds of mindfulness practices might be helpful for different types of anxiety. Mindfulness has its roots in traditional meditation techniques. It involves embracing the present moment and accepting it as it is, without judgement. You breathe, feel and observe your thoughts, without trying to change them. Once seen as a spiritual practice, it has now gained legitimacy in the therapeutic field. And with good reason: it has proven its effectiveness in tackling anxiety and stress. But mindfulness doesn't work in the same way for everyone. So why does it work better for some people? And above all, how can we adapt this practice to each individual? This is the subject of a study published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews . Its authors suggest adjusting the form of mindfulness practised according to the type of anxiety experienced. The results are based on solid data and confirm what many people feel, without always being able to explain it. 'A lot of research has shown that mindfulness can reduce anxiety symptoms,' explains study co-author and Washington University (WashU) in Saint Louis' Mindfulness Science & Practice research cluster postdoctoral research associate Dr Resh Gupta in a news release. 'We all experience anxiety, but it can manifest in many different ways. 'It's a tough problem to pin down.' To find out more, the researchers explored how the brain works, in particular, what is known as cognitive control. This function helps us stay focused, resist distractions and make choices in line with our intentions. Anxiety, however, scrambles this mechanism. It invades the mind, upsetting priorities and complicating decision-making. Conversely, mindfulness can reinforce this ability to stay on course. Moreover, certain techniques are more suited to different profiles. Focused-attention mindfulness meditation, for example, enables people experiencing a lot of anxious thoughts to focus on an anchor point such as breathing. 'You keep bringing your attention back to that anchor every time your mind wanders. 'Instead of focusing on the worry, you're focusing on the present moment experience,' Dr Gupta explains. Other people experience anxiety in a more physical way, with rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms and tightness in the chest. For them, an approach called open monitoring seems more beneficial. It involves observing and welcoming everything that arises, without judgement or rejection. It's a way of making peace with our inner turmoil, rather than fighting it. This research is part of a wider dynamic, supported by the WashU Mindfulness Science and Practice cluster, which also organises events open to all. 'We're dedicated to helping the WashU and greater St Louis community get access to tools to learn about mindfulness science and practice,' says Dr Gupta. For study co-author and WashU professor of psychological and neurological sciences Dr Todd Braver, offering a variety of options is essential. 'People have different options they can choose from, so it becomes easier to find one that best fits your particular temperament, concerns or current situation,' he says. Gone is the one-size-fits-all model. The future of mindfulness promises to be more flexible and more personalised, with an approach that's in tune with each individual, transforming an age-old practice into an everyday tool. – AFP Relaxnews
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Chinese lidar maker Hesai zeroes in on South-East Asia for first overseas plant
China's Hesai Group, the world's largest maker of automotive lidar sensors, plans to open its first plant outside the mainland in Southeast Asia next year. Chief financial officer Andrew Fan said on Wednesday the Shanghai-based company recently signed a land lease for the factory, with construction set to start later this year and production in late 2026. He did not give details. The factory will supply light detection and ranging sensors – which employ laser beams to measure distances to objects – to international marques that design and assemble smart vehicles, he added. 'From the end of 2026 or early 2027, Hesai will rely on the plant in Southeast Asia to serve some of our international clients,' Fan said. 'We are building overseas plants to implement our go-global strategy.' The company's announcement came after Hesai on Tuesday reported a 46.3 per cent jump in first-quarter revenue to 530 million yuan (US$73.6 million), while its net loss narrowed 84 per cent to 17.5 million yuan. Fan said the company would generate a profit of 200 million yuan to 350 million yuan for the full year on the back of surging demand for lidar sensors by smart-car and robot makers. Hesai – whose clients include Li Auto, China's largest maker of premium electric vehicles (EVs), and Geely, owner of Volvo Cars – would deliver 1.5 million units to customers this year, he added. Last month, CEO David Li Yifan said that the company would increase its manufacturing capacity fourfold this year to 2 million units, from about 502,000 units in 2024. Fan said an escalating EV price war on the mainland would have minimal impact on Hesai's revenue. 'We firmly believe people's rising awareness about safety and rapid technology advancement in making cars more autonomous will result in stronger demand for lidar sensors,' Fan said. 'Carmakers and consumers need reliable hardware and software to ensure driving safety. They will not try to save costs on driver assistance systems.' The company also plans to set up factories in Europe, where Hesai has formed partnerships with several top carmakers to develop advanced driver assistance systems, a preliminary technology for autonomous driving. In March, Hesai announced that its products would be used in the next-generation cars of a 'leading European' assembler over the next decade, which Reuters reported was Mercedes-Benz. It was the first time that a major European carmaker had picked a Chinese lidar supplier. Hesai's overseas expansion is the latest example of Chinese automotive supply-chain vendors showcasing their superiority in technology and manufacturing. Chinese car-component makers, from EV battery producers like Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) to automobile safety glassmaker Fuyao Glass, were being welcomed by developed markets like Europe to establish factories, according to analysts. 'Chinese technology is spreading rapidly in the global auto industry and that [trend] has become more visible,' said Paul Gong, head of China automotive research at UBS. 'The rise of the Chinese auto sector is not only reflected in Chinese-branded cars, but also in its influence on global carmakers amid their transition to EVs and smart mobility.' On May 20, CATL completed the world's largest stock sale this year, raising HK$41 billion (US$5.23 billion), with its Hong Kong shares climbing 16.4 per cent on their trading debut. The company said it would use the proceeds to construct plants overseas. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
XTransfer to Debut as a 4-Star Sponsor at Money20/20 Europe 2025
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - XTransfer, the world's leading and China's No.1 B2B cross-border trade payment platform, is excited to announce its debut participation in Money20/20 Europe 2025 as a 4-star sponsor. The prestigious fintech event will take place from June 3 to 5, 2025, in Amsterdam, bringing together global visionaries, innovators, and decision-makers from across the financial technology ecosystem. XTransfer's presence at Money20/20 Europe marks a significant milestone in its global expansion journey. As a first-time sponsor, the company will lead a series of high-impact sessions and strategic engagements, showcasing its cutting-edge solutions and vision for inclusive cross-border finance. The event will feature a keynote product pitch by Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, who will introduce the company's latest cross-border payment innovations tailored for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. In addition, multiple signing ceremonies will be held to formalise new global partnerships, reinforcing XTransfer's commitment to enabling seamless international trade. XTransfer will also host a Fireside Chat featuring leaders from top global banks to discuss how technology, collaboration, and compliance are unlocking new opportunities in the cross-border payment industry on 4th June, 11:30 AM at XTransfer's booth. Further strengthening its strategic position in Europe, XTransfer recently obtained the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in the Netherlands. This significant achievement enables XTransfer to offer comprehensive, compliant, and localised payment solutions to SMEs in the Netherlands. The license forms a critical part of XTransfer's vision to build a global financial network that empowers SMEs to grow and trade internationally with ease. During the event, Bill Deng will also meet with government officials and executives from international banks and financial institutions to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation and innovation in the cross-border financial infrastructure landscape. 'We are honoured to join Money20/20 Europe for the first time as a 4-star sponsor,' said Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer. 'This is a milestone moment for XTransfer as we continue expanding our global footprint. We look forward to sharing our vision, engaging with industry leaders, and exploring new partnerships that will advance the future of the global trading and payment industry.' Money20/20 Europe is widely recognised as the premier destination for the global fintech community. XTransfer's participation marks a bold step forward in its mission to provide secure, efficient, and affordable cross-border financial services to SMEs around the world. Visit XTransfer at Booth 1G10 to learn how we are transforming the future of cross-border B2B payments. Hashtag: #XTransfer #Money2020EU #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
