Chinese humanoid robot shocks viewers with new feature
In this DML Report…
China’s EngineAI has unveiled its PM01 humanoid robot performing a groundbreaking kick-up, a feat claimed as the first of its kind for a humanoid, in a video released on March 24, 2025. The PM01, a smaller version of EngineAI’s SE01 model, executed the move with precision, flipping a shuttlecock-like object into the air using its foot, showcasing advanced agility and balance. Launched in December 2024, the PM01 builds on the SE01’s reputation for a human-like gait, which gained attention in October 2024, and is now available for sale until March 31, 2025, priced at ¥88,000 (around $12,000) for business and education versions.
The PM01 stands 4.5 feet tall, weighs 88 pounds, and features 24 degrees of freedom, allowing for fluid movements like its 320-degree waist rotation and force-controlled arms. EngineAI, based in Shenzhen, developed the robot with an aluminum alloy exoskeleton for durability and agility, integrating advanced motion algorithms honed through dance battles with professional choreographers. This latest stunt follows the PM01’s front-flip achievement in February 2025, reinforcing EngineAI’s push to merge robotics with dynamic, cinematic-inspired capabilities, distinct from competitors like Unitree’s G1, which costs $3,000 more.
(see more below)
The video, filmed at EngineAI’s Shenzhen testing grounds, highlights the PM01’s potential beyond spectacle, with Shenzhen police reportedly testing units for law enforcement integration. EngineAI aims to sell over 1,000 units by year-end, targeting home and industrial applications with the PM and PA series. The robot’s compact design, interactive core screen, and bionic movement capabilities position it as a versatile tool, though its practical real-world impact remains under scrutiny as of March 24, 2025, amid China’s broader robotics advancements.