‘Real Steel' gets real: Robots fight in boxing match at world robot expo in China
Inspired by the film Real Steel, the World Robot Conference in Beijing showcased real robot boxing matches, captivating audiences with upgraded GI robots exhibiting human-like fighting abilities. The event featured over 200 robotics companies and 1,500 products, highlighting the evolution of robotics from industrial automation to entertainment and sports.
Agencies Robots fight More than a decade after the 2011 Hollywood film Real Steel brought the thrilling idea of robot boxing to the big screen, that vision is now turning into reality. At the ongoing World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing's E-town innovation hub, robots are stepping into the boxing ring for real, wowing crowds with fights that echo the movie's electrifying robot battles.
In Real Steel, Hugh Jackman starred in a futuristic tale where human-controlled robots battled it out in high-stakes boxing matches. What once seemed like pure science fiction is now unfolding live at the WRC. The crowd favorite this year has been a boxing match between two of the latest upgraded GI robots. These mechanical fighters delivered punches, defended, and showed resilience by getting back up after knockdowns — just like the robotic contenders from the film.
The WRC gathers over 200 robotics companies showcasing more than 1,500 products, including over 100 global debuts. From China's leading robotics firms to international heavyweights like Switzerland's ABB, and innovative startups born in university labs, the expo is a vivid snapshot of the future of robotics.Chinese provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Hubei have set up dedicated booths, emphasizing how local governments view robotics and artificial intelligence as key drivers of future economic growth.Another exciting highlight was the Unitree Robotics combat competition. Their robots, famed for fluid martial arts moves, showed how robotics can blend technology with performance art — expanding far beyond traditional industrial roles.
The leap from cinematic spectacle to real-world robot boxing shows how robotics is evolving from factory automation to entertainment and sports. The WRC is a place where the dreams inspired by Real Steel are no longer just on screen but becoming part of everyday innovation.As technology progresses, the boundary between science fiction and reality keeps shrinking, and the robot boxing matches at the WRC show that the future once imagined in movies like Real Steel is very much here today.
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Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
‘Real Steel' gets real: Robots fight in boxing match at world robot expo in China
Synopsis Inspired by the film Real Steel, the World Robot Conference in Beijing showcased real robot boxing matches, captivating audiences with upgraded GI robots exhibiting human-like fighting abilities. The event featured over 200 robotics companies and 1,500 products, highlighting the evolution of robotics from industrial automation to entertainment and sports. Agencies Robots fight More than a decade after the 2011 Hollywood film Real Steel brought the thrilling idea of robot boxing to the big screen, that vision is now turning into reality. At the ongoing World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing's E-town innovation hub, robots are stepping into the boxing ring for real, wowing crowds with fights that echo the movie's electrifying robot battles. In Real Steel, Hugh Jackman starred in a futuristic tale where human-controlled robots battled it out in high-stakes boxing matches. What once seemed like pure science fiction is now unfolding live at the WRC. The crowd favorite this year has been a boxing match between two of the latest upgraded GI robots. These mechanical fighters delivered punches, defended, and showed resilience by getting back up after knockdowns — just like the robotic contenders from the film. The WRC gathers over 200 robotics companies showcasing more than 1,500 products, including over 100 global debuts. From China's leading robotics firms to international heavyweights like Switzerland's ABB, and innovative startups born in university labs, the expo is a vivid snapshot of the future of provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Hubei have set up dedicated booths, emphasizing how local governments view robotics and artificial intelligence as key drivers of future economic exciting highlight was the Unitree Robotics combat competition. Their robots, famed for fluid martial arts moves, showed how robotics can blend technology with performance art — expanding far beyond traditional industrial roles. The leap from cinematic spectacle to real-world robot boxing shows how robotics is evolving from factory automation to entertainment and sports. The WRC is a place where the dreams inspired by Real Steel are no longer just on screen but becoming part of everyday technology progresses, the boundary between science fiction and reality keeps shrinking, and the robot boxing matches at the WRC show that the future once imagined in movies like Real Steel is very much here today.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
‘Real Steel' gets real: Robots fight in boxing match at world robot expo in China
More than a decade after the 2011 Hollywood film Real Steel brought the thrilling idea of robot boxing to the big screen, that vision is now turning into reality. At the ongoing World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing's E-town innovation hub, robots are stepping into the boxing ring for real, wowing crowds with fights that echo the movie's electrifying robot battles. In Real Steel, Hugh Jackman starred in a futuristic tale where human-controlled robots battled it out in high-stakes boxing matches. What once seemed like pure science fiction is now unfolding live at the WRC. The crowd favorite this year has been a boxing match between two of the latest upgraded GI robots. These mechanical fighters delivered punches, defended, and showed resilience by getting back up after knockdowns — just like the robotic contenders from the film. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program The WRC gathers over 200 robotics companies showcasing more than 1,500 products, including over 100 global debuts. From China's leading robotics firms to international heavyweights like Switzerland's ABB , and innovative startups born in university labs, the expo is a vivid snapshot of the future of robotics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Chinese provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Hubei have set up dedicated booths, emphasizing how local governments view robotics and artificial intelligence as key drivers of future economic growth. Another exciting highlight was the Unitree Robotics combat competition. Their robots, famed for fluid martial arts moves, showed how robotics can blend technology with performance art — expanding far beyond traditional industrial roles. Live Events The leap from cinematic spectacle to real-world robot boxing shows how robotics is evolving from factory automation to entertainment and sports. The WRC is a place where the dreams inspired by Real Steel are no longer just on screen but becoming part of everyday innovation. As technology progresses, the boundary between science fiction and reality keeps shrinking, and the robot boxing matches at the WRC show that the future once imagined in movies like Real Steel is very much here today.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
ABB and Formula E extend partnership after successful season 11
Formula E (Image credit: Formula E) After a successful Season 11, ABB and Formula E have announced that they will continue their partnership in the upcoming season. This gives ABB another opportunity to promote its new brand positioning via the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, along with technologies that help industries take a cleaner route. How do Formula E and ABB work together? Over a period of eight seasons, the partnership with Formula E has provided ABB a platform to showcase how technology can help industries outrun challenges, engage with customers around the world, and implement its own solutions into the series to improve reliability and efficiency. The partnership extension will provide a year-round opportunity for brand-building and activation, communicating ABB and its technology solutions to new global audiences, including Formula E's international fanbase. ABB and Formula E will also join hands to engage a new generation of fans, collaborating with unexpected influencers and content creators to tell compelling stories that make advanced electrification and automation technologies tangible and exciting. The end of the mid-race car swap, a 150kW increase in power, top speeds that are 43 percent higher, and energy recovery increasing from 15 to 50 percent indicate how far Formula E technology has come to outperform on track. ABB has also built on its technical involvement in the series, supplying the race chargers from Season 9, and introducing its ABB Ability OPTIMAX® energy management software (Season 9) and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) technology (Season 5) to the sport. What do ABB and Formula E say about the partnership? ABB Head of Brand Paco Liebrand said, 'We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Formula E which, like ABB, is striving for a leaner and cleaner future. The synergy between the two organizations, combined with the global appeal of the Championship, makes it a great platform to promote our brand positioning.' He further said, 'Formula E is increasingly working with content creators, influencers, and celebrities, with initiatives such as the Evo Sessions making an impact through digital channels beyond the racing itself, which is also an essential part of ABB's new brand strategy. Going forward, we will be enhancing the way we harness the benefits of this collaboration, ensuring the focus is on delivering content and activations that reinforce our new messaging, build familiarity, and tell the 'Engineered to Outrun' story. ' Formula E Chief Revenue Officer Tiziana Di Gioia said, 'Our renewed partnership with ABB is a testament to the commercial power and benefit of Formula E as a global platform that drives both brand and business growth. ABB, like our wider partnership portfolio, has and continues to see enormous value in collaborating with the fastest-growing motorsport on the planet, with viewership, commercial integration, and brand storytelling continuing to accelerate. Over eight seasons, ABB has moved from brand visibility to brand activation—integrating deeply into the fan experience, the sport's ecosystem, and our innovation narrative. Also Read: Antonio Felix Da Costa shares happy memories as Porsche wins Formula E Teams and Manufacturers' World Championships 'This next chapter elevates the partnership even further. With ABB's new positioning, we are co-creating opportunities across content, digital storytelling, and market engagement, transforming a title partnership into a year-round, value-generating relationship. It's a model of how modern sponsorships should evolve, rooted in purpose and cultural alignment but measured by impact,' she added. Formula E Season 12 will begin with testing in Valencia in October. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
