(Yicai) Feb. 10 -- China’s EngineAI Robotics Technology has launched the Ultimate Robot Knock-out Legend, which is being billed as the world’s first commercial humanoid robot freestyle fighting league.

The launch event was held in Shenzhen yesterday. The league will use EngineAI’s robots, with 16 teams competing. The winners will be awarded a gold belt worth CNY10 million (USD1.44 million), said Zhao Tongyang, the Shenzhen-based company’s founder and chief executive.

The tournament aims to enhance the core capabilities of humanoid robots, including motion control, balance algorithms, decision-making, power systems, and structural protection.

At the launch event, one of EngineAI’s T800 humanoid robots made an appearance and gave a demonstration of sparring with a Thai boxing champion.

The T800 debuted in December, with a starting price of CNY180,000 (USD26,040). It stands 1.73 meters high and weighs 75 kilograms. Zhao also revealed in December that the company had received intention orders for 3,000 to 4,000 units.

Editor: Tom Litting