Their flight legs kick each other and swiftly return to balance, trotting steadily;
It falls to the ground yet manages a ‘carp flip’, performing a desperate act for survival;
It waits for the right moment and quickly kicks out, taking down the opponent in one move;
Robots can do more than just these things. They can pat their thighs to show defiance or swing their arms to celebrate victory… Netizens with faster connections call it: ‘With such high-energy robotic battles entering live broadcasts, the main station truly features people from the top of the sci-fi world.’
On May 25th, the CMG World Robot Competition·Series Tournament hosted by the Central Radio and Television Main Station took place in Hangzhou. It was broadcast live via CCTV-10, CCTV News, CCTV Video, CCTV Society, CCTV Sports, and CGTN New Media platforms domestically and abroad.
Since the start of the year, the main station has continued to focus on the latest developments in intelligent technology, holding the first wearable intelligent robot sports event in Wuxi in collaboration with the China Electronics Society. It co-hosted with local governments the world’s first ‘Man-Machine Race’ half-marathon and the CMG World Robot Skills Competition Inventors Forum, showcasing a blend of technology and visual robots’ science popularization events. In May, the main station hosted the first global humanoid robot-driven fighting competition. What are the strategic plans of the intelligent main station behind this?
This February, main station director Shen Haiying stated at the main station’s 2025 work meeting that the main station can take the lead in hosting robot competitions and sports events, using golden nodes to influence China’s technology’s global impact. The main station’s social education program center continues to adjust plans, while the Zhejiang headquarters of the main station tracks and reports on Hangzhou’s related tech innovation enterprises, searching for the main station’s focus in running competitions amid the wave of man-machine collaboration.
The initial motivation for organizing the competition stems from the real-world issues faced by technology applications: how far has robotics technology developed, and how can its achievements progress from the laboratory to the public eye? How can humanoid robots serve daily production and life, even replacing humans in more dangerous places and completing more arduous tasks?
Why not experience a live broadcast where everyone can witness iron warriors in action and evaluate with their own eyes using the screen as an answer sheet. This is the conception behind the mech warrior tournament: testing robots’ comprehensive capabilities through challenging actions such as striking and dodging in a highly competitive environment. The world’s first mech warrior competition is thus initiated, with commentary and stream broadcasts also enhanced.
Dual commentary, aligning knowledge with competition points.Deliver a “combo punch,” not only continuously consuming power but also rigorously testing the precise design of the entire motion control algorithm; the “catfish tactic” skill, sourced from real-time sensor calibration and control algorithm synchronization on-site; the “battle scars” on the robots bear testimony to the durability provided by advanced materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum alloys……
Experts and scholars from Peking University, the Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Safety and Standards, the Tai’er System Laboratory with the Chinese Academy of Information and Communications Technology, and Zhejiang University analyze robotics principles, tactical deployments, and the scientific management behind control algorithms from perspectives of robotics development, artificial intelligence, and mechanical engineering. The expert scientific explanations enhance the combination of competition knowledge intensity and adrenaline rush.
Located at the commentary desk on the competition site
Located in the Beijing broadcast room’s commentary desk
Perspective diversity, deploying the ‘translation’ screen move. The electric currents humming as the armor activates, the subtle changes in the mechanical arms’ force curve, and the concentrated expressions of the selectors during the adjustment trials are fully captured by the broadcast’s high-speed cameras. The silent calculations are translated into intuitive and comprehensible screens, with the refined lens language bearing real-time technological aesthetics, delivering a more immersive viewing experience.
To enrich the viewing angle, reporters at the broadcasting control room have specially crafted a 5-meter-long shooting pole. The camera fixed atop it clearly presents the entire venue and the trail of the selectors, while the finger cameras installed on the robot provide the audience with a first-person perspective to engage in ‘battle’ and feel the immersive shock.
Super long camera for panoramic views
Screen shot with finger camera
Robot combat involves intense collisions of ‘hard against hard’ and ‘iron against iron’, but more so it’s a scientific confrontation of ‘thought against thought’ and ‘intelligence against intelligence’. As live spectators remarked, ‘This robot combat competition has overturned my perceptions, it’s as if sci-fi movies are brought to reality. I believe one day robots will become our most reliable assistants!’
Straight punches measure opponent distance, left and right hooks open the opponent’s position, and side kicks heavily strike the opponent’s flank… Richly practiced combat moves ensure every second in the arena is filled with excitement and suspense. Behind the moves, it is an extreme test of human-machine collaboration, stressed by the directing team from the planning phase as the competition’s core: Humans and robots must cooperate to battle, only in unison can we explore vast application prospects for humanoid robots.
With the assistance of multi-sensor fusion technology, the participating robots can quickly make corresponding fight moves based on the operator’s command intentions. To showcase their best state in the competition arena, the directing team and each participating team conduct pre-competition training multiple times, honing skills from simple attacks and dodges to complex combo moves, through which the “heartfelt response” not only contributes to the spectacle of the event but also explores the performance boundaries of the robots to the maximum extent.
Swift moves with intelligence in every action. High-performance motors provide strong dynamic power for the explosive actions of the robots. Dynamic movement control and real-time algorithm optimization form the millisecond-level response “foundation,” while the bionic mechanical structure with 29 degrees of freedom serves as the “base” for anti-collision performance. The structural advancements of foundational technology enable humanoid robots to achieve balanced agility in every step. 🤔 Knowledge point: The performing robots at the Spring Festival Gala have 25 degrees of freedom, evolving from programmed performance choices to real-time controlled competition-level exoskeletons, with further applications anticipated in the future.
Slide up and down to view key moves.
Operators take the stage, “exploring” the future. Artificial intelligence is an affair for the young and a venture of young people. From ’90s PhD candidates focused on robotic evaluation and AI technology enthusiasts to employees of China Netcom Hangzhou Power Company and national style bloggers passionate about intangible cultural heritage, the directing team has broadened the application paths of human-machine collaboration for the operators through stage presence and settings. The seamless synergy between selected individuals from different circles and robots showcases that domestic robot technology application is already taking shape, demonstrating the potential for cross-circle promotion and multi-scenario applications.
Each execution of a battle is an organic fusion of ideas and algorithms; every arena competition is also an effective decryption of armor collaboration codes. As yet another bold attempt in the field of humanoid robots, this round of robot fighting not only brings the technology of robots from the lab into the public eye but also leverages the competitive format to promote the optimization and upgrading of related technologies, further showcasing to the world the rapid development of our country’s robotics industry in artificial intelligence, human-machine collaboration, mechanical design and manufacturing capabilities.
“The development of human scientific research is continuously driven forward by tasks similar to ‘robot competitions’.” As guest of honor, Zhejiang University’s College of Control professor and researcher of the 100-person plan, Li Gaofeng, says, this robot fighting competition is no longer just a simple mechanical confrontation, it is more like a trailblazing stone cast into the unknown technological frontier.
The format of human-machine collaborative competitions also inspired Beijing University’s College of Computer Science head of the Emotion and Cognitive Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, Wang Wei, stating, “Using this form of collaboration with robots can ensure that robots realize human intentions without deviation, completing delicate or risky operations beyond human capability.” From real-time dynamic response systems of robots to autonomous decision-making algorithms, after continuous iterations, core related technologies can quickly transition to high-value application scenarios like industrial inspections, security placements, and disaster rescue as substitutes for humans, highlighting the humanistic concern manifested by the development of the robotics industry.
As of now, the program’s viewership has exceeded 2.3 billion and continues to rise. Over a hundred domestic media outlets are continuously covering the event, with related keywords appearing 66 times on various hot search lists across platforms. It topped the trending charts on social media platforms like TikTok and Kuaishou. News materials distributed by the headquarters have been picked up by 53 media outlets from 26 countries and regions, including CNN, Italian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Yonhap News Agency, achieving global coverage. Over 60 overseas media outlets have independently reported on the event.
In the comment section, netizens are humorously discussing the “cut its power supply” strategy, forecasting the future celebrity of the industry, and showing optimism for future advancements in robotics technology. From the spring gala debut of the singing robot, to the world’s first human-robot running race, and the first global live broadcasting of robot combat, the headquarters has been at the forefront of promoting technological innovation broadcasting, leaving a lasting and powerful “robotic cinema” for China’s intelligent development.
As a major technological innovation-themed IP created by the headquarters, the “CMG World Robot Competition” strives to host exciting events and professional, meticulous science popularization to build a world-class, China-standard robot competition platform. The “technological broadcasting ecosystem” of the headquarters is also upgrading through the event organization: on one hand, using the competition to convey China’s core technological development concepts and cultural values to a global audience; on the other hand, stimulating public interest in technological innovation through comprehensive reports from journalists and science popularization, creating a strong scientific atmosphere for the whole society.
Before the competition, the main station reporters were stationed long-term at the training grounds for pre-event coverage, addressing the public’s questions point by point. Whether explaining the operating principles of robotic machinery or bringing robots to schools for face-to-face interaction with students, the aim was always to bring technology closer to life. Over 100 preview reports were broadcasted across major station platforms and on large outdoor screens and subway TVs throughout Hangzhou, building anticipation throughout the city.
Netizens highly commented on “the promising future behind mechanical joints and intelligent algorithms, with rescue robots replacing firefighters in emergency scenarios, and exoskeleton robots helping patients walk again … this is the embodiment of applied technology.” Working together to promote robotics technology for better outcomes and contributing to building a technologically strong nation is the responsibility and mission of the main station as a national mainstream media entity.
On the path of artificial intelligence development, we look forward to more witnesses and call for more peers. In this event, the main station obtained exclusive hosting rights, fully showcasing the influence accumulated over four years of intensive focus since the establishment of the local station. In the future, the main station will continue to collaborate with various segments of the robotics industry to create a series of activities and projects focused on robot industry development. The “CMG World Robot Competition Series” will launch multiple events across the country, while the “CMG World Robotics Skills Competition” will be held in Wuhan, Hubei, setting tasks focused on practical application scenarios. The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Sports Festival and the 2025 World Robot Expo will take place grandly in Beijing in August…. What kind of surprises will the seasoned and trained iron-willed contestants bring at that time?
