Two humanoid robots from Chinese robotics firm Unitree stepped into the BattleBots Arena in Las Vegas, evoking scenes from the movie, Real Steel.

In an Ultimate Fighting Robot (UFB) bout held alongside the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), the robots kicked and swung at each other, occasionally stumbling as spectators watched with curiosity and applause.

A human referee officiated the match like a real fight, underscoring UFB backers’ belief that humanoid combat could evolve robot battles from metal-smashing spectacles into mixed martial arts-style entertainment.

Recently, Unitree showcased its H2 humanoid performing kicks and backflips, highlighting rapid advances in robotic agility and combat-style mobility.

Boxing bots debut

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, humanoid robots emerged as one of the show’s biggest crowd-pullers, signaling how quickly the sector is moving from research labs toward real-world use. Among the most talked-about exhibitors was Unitree Robotics, whose booth in the north hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center rarely slowed.

On January 6, two of Unitree’s G1 humanoid robots staged a boxing-style demonstration, complete with headgear and gloves. Trading punches and kicks while exploiting openings, the compact machines moved with a rhythm reminiscent of mixed martial arts fighters, reports Chosun Biz.

The G1 stands about 130 centimeters tall and weighs 77 pounds (35 kilograms), designed to be lightweight, affordable, and widely accessible, with a price around $13,500—roughly half that of many comparable humanoids.

Built for domestic use, it can handle tasks such as carrying objects, while its high computing power enables operation in demanding, high-impact environments. Its joints can generate up to 120 newton-meters of torque, demonstrating the rotational force the robot’s limbs, such as its knees, can exert, combining strength and precision in a compact form.

Beyond the G1, Unitree also unveiled its next-generation humanoid, the H2. Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 154 pounds (70 kilograms), H2 is significantly larger and heavier, yet retains the agility seen in earlier models.

Humanoids gain mobility

Unitree recently released an H2 training video, highlighting its agility with kicks, backflips, and combat-style movements. While recent demonstrations have highlighted the H2’s striking power and acrobatic movements, its most significant innovations lie beneath the surface.

The H2 features 31 degrees of freedom and exceptionally high joint output, delivering up to 360 Nm of torque. These capabilities are coordinated by advanced motion-control algorithms, enabling the robot to perform complex, dynamic actions with balance and precision. This combination of hardware strength and intelligent software enables fluid execution of demanding movements.

A major functional upgrade comes in the form of newly designed, dexterous hands. The robot’s arms now offer seven degrees of freedom, up from four in earlier models, marking a shift from basic locomotion toward advanced manipulation.

These improvements in articulation and grip make the H2 suitable for practical roles in factories and logistics, with potential for domestic applications over time.

Unitree is also advancing teleoperation technology. While full autonomy remains the ultimate goal, remote control by human operators serves as a transitional solution.

Using wearable rigs or mixed-reality devices such as the Apple Vision Pro, operators can translate human judgment and dexterity into robotic motion, enhancing safety and reliability.

This system allows the H2 to perform useful tasks in real-world environments even before fully autonomous capabilities are realized, bridging the gap between research prototypes and practical deployment.

Company representatives said customer shipments of H2 are expected to begin in April, emphasizing that ongoing software development will play a key role in enabling humanoid robots to support safer work in homes and industrial environments.