In San Francisco, the artificial intelligence boom has sparked a wave of innovative and futuristic events, including the rise of robot fight clubs. On a typical Friday night, tech enthusiasts gather in an underground boxing ring to watch humanoid robots battle it out. The audience cheers as robots, controlled by video game controllers, engage in combat, with referees counting knockouts and announcers rallying the crowd to chant “Robot fight club! Robot fight club!”
Jonathan Moon, the CEO of Budbreak, a startup that builds robots for vineyard inspections, attended one such event and described it as “surreal,” feeling like something from the year 2040 rather than 2025. The event, held in the basement of Frontier Tower, a coworking high-rise on Market Street, featured robots from Unitree Robotics and Booster Robotics, provided by Singapore-based FrodoBots AI. The robots, costing between $30,000 and $60,000 each, were custom programmed for the fights and dressed in costumes with backstories, adding to the entertainment value.
The events, organized by Vitaly and Xenia Bulatov, have become a sensation, drawing tech workers, artists, and influencers. The Bulatovs aim to turn these robot fights into a profitable series of sporting events. The first fight club, held in July, went viral, leading to the creation of the “world’s first robot combat league.” The events are shrouded in mystery, with tickets hard to come by, creating a sense of exclusivity and FOMO among attendees.
As the AI boom continues to electrify San Francisco, these live events offer a unique blend of technology and entertainment, reflecting the city’s innovative spirit. The robot fights are just one example of how tech workers are seeking memorable experiences outside their usual work routines, with AI-themed trivia nights and other events gaining popularity. As the demand for such events grows, organizers are planning even more elaborate productions in the future, promising increased complexity, interactivity, and entertainment value.
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