California regulator orders startup Rek to halt human-involved robot fights

The California State Athletic Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to startup Rek over a September 18 match pitting a human against a humanoid robot piloted remotely. The letter, posted by Rek CEO Cix Liv, calls the fight unsanctioned and demands that Rek stop promoting human-involved contests in California without approval. Rek's next planned match on Friday will feature two weaponized robots fighting each other.

Robot Entertainment Kombat, founded by Cix Liv, hosted a September 18 San Francisco event where a human fought a remotely controlled robot and lost each match, leaving with a hand injury. The California State Athletic Commission sent a cease-and-desist, saying the fights were unsanctioned and require approval before any bout involving a human. REK plans a robot deathmatch later this month with remotely controlled bots equipped with weapons.

A tech start-up staged a stunt in San Francisco pitting a man against a Terminator-like robot inside a cage, testing the limits of combat sport safety rules. California regulators deemed the event illegal, according to the original headline. The source provides no further details on the companies, robot specifications, or legal penalties.