California's combat sports regulator has issued a cease-and-desist letter to a San Francisco start-up, REK (Robot Entertainment Kombat), demanding an end to its "Human vs Robot" events. The order, dated September 30, follows an unsanctioned event on September 18 where a YouTuber, Frankie LaPenna, fought against the company's robots.
'Terminator'-like Robots in the Ring
The event featured modified EngineAI T800 robots, described as approximately 6 feet tall with the ability to kick with up to 850 pounds of force, and equipped with mechanical skulls and glowing red eyes. During the September 18 event, one of these robots sent LaPenna across the cage. LaPenna, who has over 9 million followers on YouTube and is known for videos involving self-injury, ultimately won that bout by shoving the robot to the floor. He also sustained an injured hand after punching a metal frame in a subsequent fight.
Human Pilots Control Robots
REK clarified that its robots were not autonomous. Each robot was piloted in real-time by a human using VR headsets or a gamepad. The company's technology partner, Reflex Arc, provided AI to maintain balance and execute trained movements. Therefore, every strike was a deliberate human action.
Legal Interpretation and Future Outlook
The California State Athletic Commission stated that any boxing or mixed martial arts contest in the state requires its approval. Promoting or participating in such events without a license is considered a misdemeanor. REK's CEO, Cix Liv, has countered that the law defines a match as between two persons, and a humanoid robot does not qualify as a person. He has indicated a willingness to argue this point in court. Currently, neither federal nor state law explicitly prohibits human versus robot fights, and legal experts suggest that most athletic commissions would need to develop new regulations to address such events.
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