The SE01 humanoid robot, which previously made headlines for achieving the most human-like gait, is once again capturing the world’s attention. Chinese robotics company Engine AI has posted a new video showing a skilled humanoid casually strolling alongside humans outside the company’s Shenzhen office.
Initially mistaken for CGI due to its sophisticated movements, the video highlights significant advances in China’s robotics capabilities over the past year. This video was published shortly after EngineAI appeared at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and introduced a variety of humanoid robots, including the SE01, SA01, and PM01 models.
The footage not only went viral, but also sparked debate among technology experts, including NVIDIA’s AI scientist Jim Huang, who praised the robot’s smooth gait. “There are problems with the way they walk, but we need these robots to fight fires (as soon as possible),” Huang said, underscoring the robots’ potential to go beyond mere technology exhibitions.
SE01 Humanoid with human-like agility
Last October, EngineAI’s SE01 set a new benchmark in humanoid robotics with its extraordinary ability to mimic human gait. This engineering marvel walks and performs complex movements such as squats, push-ups, and precision tasks with a fluidity that rivals natural human movements.
Its design challenges traditional robotic movements, replacing choppy mechanical movements with smooth, graceful strides that stand out in both industrial and home environments.
SE01’s capabilities are not limited to advanced mobility; it is a general-purpose robot. At 5.5 feet (170 cm) tall, this rugged machine is built to perform demanding tasks, from heavy labor to detailed assembly work in complex factory environments.
It is equipped with an advanced harmonic force control joint module and utilizes deep reinforcement learning and imitation learning algorithms powered by an outstanding end-to-end neural network model.
At CES, EngineAI showcased the SE01 along with a wide lineup including the SA01 and PM01 models. Designed to last more than 10 years, the SE01 humanoid is an iconic victory in robotics innovation and a glimpse into the future of automated assistance in both work and home environments.
EngineAI team, goals and future
Founded in October 2023, EngineAI has a core team of pioneers in China’s early forays into legged robotics research and experts from world-class universities and companies, making EngineAI a leader in robotics innovation. We are quickly positioning ourselves at the forefront of this field.
EngineAI has launched an impressive series of humanoid robots in just a short period of time. The SA01, an open-source bipedal robot, is designed for scientific research and education and is competitively priced at approximately US$5,250 (38,500 yuan). Meanwhile, the 4.5-foot (138 cm) tall PM01 targets more specialized applications and is priced at $12,030 (88,000 yuan).
But the crown jewel of their lineup, the SE01, remains interestingly unpriced. Co-founder Yao Qiyuan recently said that full-size models like the SE01 are likely to be priced between $20,500 (150,000 yuan) and $27,350 (200,000 yuan), with premium features and a focus on the market. suggested that it would balance accessibility.
This pricing strategy is consistent with the company’s commitment to keep production costs below $13,670 (100,000 yuan) per unit, ensuring sustainability and competitive pricing.
EngineAI advances robotic capabilities through strategic innovation and pricing, making them increasingly accessible. The company is on a fast track to increase annual production to more than 1,000 units by 2025, with the aim of expanding its product range to meet both industrial and domestic needs.
