Key Takeaways
• REK hosted a humanoid robot sparring match in San Francisco
• The fight featured EngineAI’s PM01 and Unitree’s G1 robots
• Humans controlled the robots remotely using VR headsets
• The store plans to host nightly robot fights after opening
• The matches could also generate valuable training data for robotics AI
A new robotics focused store in San Francisco has attracted attention after hosting what is being described as America’s first humanoid robot fight.
The event took place inside the future home of REK, located in Nob Hill at 1415 Van Ness Avenue. Ahead of its official summer opening, the store released a short video showing two humanoid robots sparring inside the empty storefront.
The match featured EngineAI’s PM01 robot facing off against Unitree Robotics’s G1 humanoid. Instead of operating autonomously, both machines were remotely controlled by human operators using virtual reality headsets.
The fight itself was chaotic and entertaining. The PM01 launched aggressive swings while the G1 attempted awkward evasive movements, leading many online viewers to compare the scene to “two drunk guys outside a bar.” Despite the clumsy appearance, the event highlighted how rapidly humanoid robotics technology is advancing.
The G1 stands around 1.3 meters tall and is priced at roughly $16,000, while the PM01 is slightly taller with an estimated price closer to $12,000. Both robots are designed with agile movement systems capable of balancing, walking, and performing dynamic actions.
REK plans to position itself as more than just a retail store. According to reports, the location will serve as a hub for robot sales, repairs, demonstrations, and even nightly robot combat events once it officially opens.
While the fights are clearly designed for entertainment, they also have a deeper technological purpose. Controlled sparring sessions can generate large amounts of movement and interaction data, which can then be used to improve robotic coordination, balance, and AI driven behavior.
The event reflects a growing trend where robotics companies are blending entertainment with machine learning development. Similar to how autonomous vehicles learn from real world driving data, humanoid robots can improve by observing and adapting to complex physical interactions.
The involvement of Chinese robotics firms also highlights the increasing global competition in humanoid robotics. Companies like Unitree have rapidly gained visibility for producing lower cost humanoid systems capable of surprisingly advanced mobility.
As humanoid robots become more affordable and capable, events like this could evolve into entirely new forms of entertainment and competition. Some online viewers even joked about future robot fighting leagues complete with betting and professional rankings.
For now, the REK showcase remains more novelty than sport. But it also offers a glimpse into how robotics, AI, gaming, and live entertainment may increasingly intersect in the years ahead.