A robot fighting league known as Robot Entertainment Kombat (REK) has secured its first permanent home in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood.
The league brings a unique concept to life, where human operators control humanoid robots using virtual reality systems, placing them in full-contact matches in front of live audiences.
While the idea may sound futuristic, it has already been tested through several live events across the city.
Until now, REK operated without a fixed venue, hosting matches at different locations. One of its most notable events took place at Kezar Pavilion near Golden Gate Park earlier this year.
READ ALSO: DeepSeek V4 Emerges as Huawei’s Chips Begin Shaping the Future AI Power Game
The event drew attention and curiosity, showing that audiences are interested in this new kind of spectacle. However, the lack of a permanent space limited how much the league could grow and engage with the public.
That changed when founder and virtual reality entrepreneur Cix Liv signed a lease for a property at 1415 Van Ness Avenue. The building, located along one of the city’s busiest corridors just north of City Hall, offers high visibility and easy access.
Pointing out the importance, Liv says, “It’s on a main road and extremely visible, so it should get a huge amount of attention.”
The building itself is more than a century old and spans about 12,000 square feet across two floors, though REK currently uses only the ground floor.
WATCH ALSO: Researchers from German have developed a diving robot that can easily collect underwater waste
The ground floor, which covers around 6,000 square feet, will serve as both a workshop and a public-facing experience center. Large windows allow passersby to look inside and see the robots in action.
The idea is to remove the barrier between technology and people, making robots more familiar and accessible. Visitors will not only watch demonstrations but also have the chance to rent, buy, customize, and repair humanoid robots.
Liv explains the broader goal in simple terms. “We want people to get familiar with robots in daily life,” he says. He also shares a more ambitious idea: “We hope the robots will know people by name and talk to our customers.” This suggests a future in which robots are not just machines but interactive companions in public spaces.
Before moving into this new location, REK operated out of a smaller garage nearby. Even in that limited space, the robots attracted attention. People would walk in out of curiosity and spend time observing the machines.
Liv recalls those moments vividly and says, “People walked in and stared at the robots. It felt like being in a zoo.” For the team, this reaction was valuable. It showed that there is genuine public interest in seeing and interacting with humanoid robots.
READ ALSO: MirrorBot Reveals What Happens When Strangers Finally Look Up
The new venue is designed to build on that curiosity and turn it into a regular experience. Beyond combat matches, the space will host a variety of events in the evenings. These include live demonstrations and even fashion shows featuring robots.
While the machines are built for fighting, their role is currently more focused on entertainment and engagement rather than competition alone.
REK plans to begin private demonstrations in June, followed by a public opening in July. Although the current lease covers only the ground floor, Liv has bigger plans for expansion. If the business proves successful, the league hopes to take over the entire building and eventually expand to other locations worldwide.
The launch of this robot-fighting hub fits into a larger trend in San Francisco. The city has become a center for robotics and artificial intelligence innovation. Self-driving vehicles from companies like Waymo are already a common sight on its streets.
Meanwhile, DoorDash has been testing autonomous drone delivery systems in local warehouses. In another part of the city, AI systems are even managing retail stores with minimal human involvement.
WATCH ALSO: World’s largest nuclear fusion research project ITER has reached a new milestone
Within this environment, REK represents a new direction. Instead of focusing only on utility, it explores how robots can entertain and connect with people. It turns advanced technology into a live experience that is easy to understand and enjoy.
Whether robot fighting will become a mainstream sport is still uncertain. However, the concept has a strong appeal, combining elements of gaming, robotics, and live performance. By creating a permanent and highly visible space, REK is taking a significant step toward making that vision a reality.
In a city known for pushing boundaries, the arrival of a robot fighting arena signals something new. It shows that the future of robotics may not only be about solving problems or improving efficiency, but also about creating experiences that people can watch, enjoy, and even take part in.
