California Orders REK to Stop Human-Versus-Humanoid Robot Cage Matches

California has issued a cease-and-desist order to robotics startup REK, demanding the company halt its human-versus-humanoid robot cage fighting events, marking the first major regulatory clash over teleoperated combat robotics in the United States. REK founder Cix Liv announced the regulatory action on September 30 after the company hosted a televised spectacle on September 18 in San Francisco: influencer Frankie LaPenna faced off against EngineAI's T800, a six-foot-tall humanoid robot in an octagonal cage. The robot, remotely piloted by a human operator using VR controllers, delivered a kick that knocked LaPenna to the canvas, ending the bout. LaPenna sustained a hand or wrist injury in the exchange, though the damage prompted questions about the nature and authenticity of the event.