Robot As A Workout Partner?

I have long fantasized about having a holodeck like those in the various Star Trek series, where I can engage in Modern Arnis training. What if, instead, you had a robot as a workout partner?

In my fantasy world, I’d say, “Computer, Holodeck Modern Arnis Program, level 10!“

I would then enter the holodeck and engage in advanced Modern Arnis training against a simulation of Professor Remy Presas. Further, it’d be great to do that daily! Check out the Klingons engaging in this kind of training!

If you’re not able to view the video, go here.

It seems that kind of virtual reality is a bit of a way off; there is another potential option. Robots!

Check out the amazing exhibition below!

If you are not able to view this video, go here.

Before I comment further on the potential of robot workout partners, I do share the concerns of many regarding AI. Polls in Canada and the USA show significant concern about various aspects of AI, ranging from job losses to the impact of data centers. Other concerns include misinformation, social manipulation, deep fakes, data privacy, and the future of the human race. Many have expressed concern about the international AI race, particularly between China and the USA. I am absolutely concerned about all of that.

What an amazing performance by the Chinese robots! That said, the reporting is that these were heavily rehearsed, stage‑controlled demonstrations rather than evidence of general, unscripted robot intelligence. This is pretty obvious to most viewers. This is not necessarily evidence that these humanoid robots have general human‑level autonomy. Still, it’s quite an impressive feat and is probably alarming to those in the West.

While there is no evidence that these robots are capable of human-level autonomy, the technology will, no doubt, advance to that level in the near future and be capable of many tasks. Of course, guardrails will need to be in place so that they don’t go “rogue.”

Anyway, let’s indulge in the fantasy of a robot workout partner in this post.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a robot partner?

Take me, for example. I teach private lessons to folks of varying skill levels. I can get some training while teaching private lessons. But it’s not enough! For one thing, I don’t have that many private clients.

So, how about an autonomous robot workout partner?

What if the dream robot were programmed to teach the following:

Level 1 – 12 angles of attack, block, check, counter drill
Level 2– Slap off/pull off drill and 12 basic disarms
Level 3 – Traditional moves (banda y banda, figure 8, reverse figure 8, rompida, up/down, double zero, reverse double zero, abanico double action etc)
Level 4 – Basic right vs right tapi tapi
Level 5 – Basic left vs right tapi tapi
Level 6 – Intermediate right vs. right tapi tapi
Level 7 – Intermediate left vs. right tapi tapi
Level 8 – Advanced right vs. right tapi tapi
Level 9 – Advanced left vs. right tapi tapi.
Level 10 – Tapi tapi free play.

Keep in mind that I’m typing this on the fly and that I recognize many more topics can be added to the robot’s database. Just bear with me on this.

Or, if you want to expand the possibilities, you could include the knowledge base of the different Modern Arnis groups.

“Professor Robot, I’d like to work on the traditional Arnis emphasized by this group in the Philippines.“

The possibilities are endless.

Anyway, it’d be great to step out to the garage or your personal workout space, boot up the robot and say, “Professor Robot, I’d like to play with palis palis, the counters to it and the re-counters. Duration of workout will be sixty minutes.“

In summary, the concept of having a robot as a workout partner for Modern Arnis training, reminiscent of a holodeck from Star Trek, is an exciting possibility. Utilizing a robot programmed with various skill levels and drills to enhance training experiences and enable daily practice with advanced techniques would be awesome. I acknowledge that guardrails will need to be in place for robots of this kind and that we must proceed with caution.