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EQUIPThe Verge · 1h ago

California is trying to shut down robot vs. human cage matches

Executive Brief

The 30-second read

The California State Athletic Commission has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Rek following a human-versus-robot fighting match. Regulators are moving to halt these unsanctioned events to address safety concerns and legal compliance within the state.

  • 01California regulators sent a cease-and-desist letter to tech startup Rek regarding unauthorized fighting events
  • 02The enforcement follows a September match between a human athlete and a humanoid robot
  • 03State athletic commissions are scrutinizing the legal status of man-versus-machine physical competitions

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The California State Athletic Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to a startup that hosted a match between a human and a robot last month, as reported by The New York Times. The fight, which took place on September 18th, pitted a human, Frankie LaPenna, against a humanoid robot owned by a tech startup, Rek, that […]