Shenzhen-based startup Engine AI recently released a demo video of its SE01 humanoid robot, highlighting its remarkably lifelike walking gait. The video earned praise from a senior Nvidia scientist. Engine AI aims to penetrate China's competitive robotics market by offering cost-effective solutions.
China's viral robot video sparks debate and validation
A video released by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily shows an adult-sized humanoid robot walking steadily through the streets of Shenzhen, with a posture and speed strikingly similar to a human's.
According to the South China Morning Post, Nvidia senior research scientist Jim Fan shared the video of Engine AI's robot on X, questioning whether it was real or generated by Sora, an AI video tool, sparking widespread online debate.
STAR Market Daily and EETimes China later confirmed the video was not AI-generated. The robot, identified as SE01 from Engine AI, has been widely praised online as "the most human-like walking robot." Co-founder Qiyuan Yao explained the outdoor test resulted from limited indoor space, saying, "We decided to take it downstairs for a walk."
After confirming the video's authenticity, Jim Fan reiterated his support for reinforcement learning, stating, "This is a real robot demo! The controller is a neural net trained in the Isaac simulator using reinforcement learning and Sim2Real. Walking gait's got swag, but we need these robots to go fire-fighting (California wildfires) asap!"
SE01 specifications and capabilities
Launched in October 2024, SE01 is designed for both industrial and household applications, performing human-like actions such as squatting, push-ups, circular walking, and object grasping. It boasts a lifespan exceeding 10 years. Key specifications include:
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 55 kg
Degrees of Freedom (DoF): 32; Hands: 12 (6 per hand); Arms: 8 (4 per arm)
Maximum joint torque: 330 Nm
Normal walking speed: 2 meters per second (7.2 km/h)
Battery life: 2 hours
Operational lifespan: 10 years
SE01's key innovation is its natural walking gait, solving the "mechanical deadlock" issue common in humanoid robots. Traditional robots face difficulty fully extending their legs due to motor limitations, requiring high torque for minor adjustments. SE01's bio-inspired gait design leverages inertia and gravity to optimize energy efficiency and enhance stability. Unlike conventional robots relying on bent knees for balance, SE01 achieves superior control through advanced torque management and precise movement.
Beyond its human-like gait, SE01 performs tasks such as squatting, push-ups, and object grasping. It features multi-sensor fusion with an Intel RealSense D435 depth camera, 360-degree LiDAR, and six HD cameras for 3D perception and obstacle avoidance. SE01's adaptive path planning ensures efficient navigation in complex environments, powered by a dual-processor architecture featuring an Nvidia GPU and an Intel CPU for precise control and high-performance computing.
Engine AI's rapid expansion and flagship lineup
Founded in October 2023, Engine AI quickly launched three flagship humanoid robots within six months. CEO Tongyang Zhao assembled a top-tier team from leading institutions, including UC Berkeley, Tsinghua University, Purdue University, and the University of Tokyo. With over 90% of its 50 employees focused on R&D, the company develops core hardware, embodied intelligence, and motion control algorithms in-house.
In July 2024, Engine AI introduced SA01, a bipedal robot designed for research and education, priced at CNY 38,500 (approx. US$5,295). With a production capacity of 3-4 units per day, SA01 has already secured hundreds of orders.
In October 2024, the company launched SE01, a full-sized humanoid robot crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, targeting industrial applications. Its price is set between CNY 150,000 and 200,000.
In December 2024, Engine AI unveiled PM01, a lightweight, high-dynamic robot priced at CNY 88,000. Measuring 1.38 meters tall and weighing 40 kg, it boasts 24 degrees of freedom, a speed of 2 meters per second, and a 320-degree rotating waist, enabling both mechanical and human-like walking gaits.
Founder's background and Engine AI funding milestones
Zhao, a seasoned entrepreneur in China's robotics industry, founded Dogotix in 2016, focusing on high-performance bionic quadruped robots. Following Dogotix's acquisition by XPeng Motors in 2020, Zhao became General Manager at Pengxing Intelligence, where he led the development of the humanoid robot PX5.
As of August 2024, Engine AI secured nearly CNY100 million in angel and post-angel funding, according to Tianyancha. The angel round was led by SenseTime Guoxiang Capital, with participation from Hefei Binhu Financial Investment.
The post-angel round was led by HighLight Capital, alongside investments from Xunshang Venture Capital and Hefei Binhu Financial Investment. Notably, SenseTime Guoxiang Capital is an equity investment arm of the publicly listed AI company SenseTime, specializing in AI investments.
China's humanoid robot market growth and SE01's impact
China's humanoid robot market is projected to expand from CNY2.76 billion in 2024 to CNY75 billion by 2029, capturing a significant global share. By 2035, the market is expected to reach US$38 billion, with widespread adoption across homes and businesses.
The success of SE01 underscores China's humanoid robotics progress and showcases Engine AI's strong R&D capabilities. In 2024, over 100 new models were introduced, intensifying market competition. Minsheng Securities forecasts 2025 as the start of large-scale production, with thousands of robots entering factories for operational training.
Challenges like product homogenization and performance limitations are shaping the humanoid robotics industry. Yao sees 2025 as a key year to enhance global partnerships and boost investments in embodied intelligence. Engine AI continues refining robotic body design and AI solutions to advance toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).