Robots in film have proved to be a successful formula. But robots in real life might seem like a far-off fantasy to most. Let's us go to the outskirts of Tokyo to see how close science fiction comes to real life.

 

All are small, but no less fierce.

The contest pits two-legged robots against each other in a bid to win the title of "best bot" with around 11-thousand US dollars at stake.

The organizers say the event is held to show people that robots can be used practically in everyday life. And so one might ask, why all the fighting?

Terukazu Nishimura, chairman of the Robo-One Commi. said, "If a robot breaks when you hit it, one can't use it. That's why I thought about having robots fight."

Marking its 17th time, the biennial competition attracted 46 teams from around Asia this year.

But each team is driven by its own motives.

This Chinese team leader says he expects the contest will inspire his middle school students' interest in robot engineering.

But some South Korean contestants like this man use the fighting to promote their own products. But it is not easy to make the label well known.

In the competition one robot must knock down the opposing one three times using everything from punching to tackling moves.

Organizers say they expect faster and better competitors at the next event, though the robots still have a while to go before challenging a human to a fight.