REK Adds Swords to Humanoid Robot Fights With “Deathmatch”

Apparently, humanoid robots punching each other was only the warm-up. REK is adding swords.

The robot-fighting organizer’s Deathmatch event is scheduled for October 9 in San Francisco, with blade-equipped machines joining the action. Subtlety does not appear to be on the fight card.

Key Takeaways

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• REK Deathmatch takes place October 9 in San Francisco, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.
• The card features a G1 weapon fight, a T800 fight and Rektile versus T-REK.
• General-admission tickets are $69, with standing room and no assigned seats.

“Our robot fights were too dangerous, so we put swords on them,” REK CEO CIX LIV joked on X.

Bringing a sword to a robot fight

REK’s event page previews arm-mounted weapons called Spartan Blades and Claw Blades. Between those names and the red-and-blue promotional artwork, the mood is closer to a fighting-game character selection screen than a robotics trade show.

The three-fight lineup opens with a G1 weapon fight, followed by a T800 bout, before Rektile and T-REK face off in the main event. The T800 listing shows robots trading punches, so there is still room for the classics.

The page does not specify what the blades are made of, but the pitch is clear enough: give the robots some larger-than-life identities, add weapons, and see what happens in the ring.

Whether the result is slick sci-fi combat or wonderfully awkward robot chaos, REK is giving spectators something different to cheer for.