China's Humanoid Robots: From Walking to Flipping

A humanoid robot, standing 1.38 meters tall and weighing 40 kilograms, recently captivated audiences at Shenzhen Talent Park with its remarkable running performance. This impressive display was not merely an art performance; it was part of a crucial running test by EngineAI, a Shenzhen-based robotics company that is pushing the boundaries of humanoid robotics in China.

Running is notably more challenging for robots than walking. It requires quick responses from actuators, enhanced impact resistance, and accurate real-time adjustments to maintain posture, particularly when navigating uneven surfaces.

Just a few weeks prior, EngineAI’s research team achieved a new milestone by successfully executing the first-ever humanoid front flip. This seemingly simple act demands a complex combination of mechanical design, control systems, and advanced sensor technology.

Ren Guowen, co-founder of EngineAI, elaborated, "Front flips necessitate explosive strength and precision at the micron level. The challenge lies in balancing lightweight construction with high-performance parts." The joint modules make up nearly 60% of the robot's weight, leading the team to focus their optimization efforts there. With pioneering dynamic joint technology, they achieved incredible levels of agility while significantly cutting down the robot's overall weight.

In the past, humanoid robots were limited in their movements due to mechanical and sensor constraints, often moving with stiff, knee-bent steps. However, in October 2024, EngineAI broke through this limitation by introducing a new "straight-knee gait" inspired by human walking patterns. This innovation allows robots to traverse complex environments more naturally.

Despite these advancements, the path to robotic acrobatics was fraught with obstacles and crashes. Yao Qiyuan, co-founder of EngineAI, shared amusing footage of robots stumbling backwards, face-planting, and skidding sideways, with their metal joints clanging against the ground.

One notable incident highlighted how difficult it is to maintain balance when adding a new component; a 500-gram head drastically reduced the success rates of flips. Early efforts by engineers aimed for a perfect landing, requiring precise positioning down to the millimeter.

After several frustrating months of experimentation, a breakthrough was realized. Ren remarked, "Humans don’t freeze in mid-air, so why expect robots to land perfectly still?" This led to a new strategy of allowing the robot to take two stabilizing steps post-landing, reflecting human reflexes more accurately.

The robot would crouch, build momentum, leap into the air, perform a complete flip, and land steadily.

Following EngineAI’s viral success, a research team in Beijing has also revealed robots capable of executing multiple consecutive backflips.

Zhao Tongyang, another leader at EngineAI, announced plans to incorporate advanced AI technology within the year, expanding the robots’ potential uses from industrial applications to everyday life. "Once we optimize mobility, adding intelligence will unleash limitless possibilities," he asserted.

As the robotics industry in China rapidly evolves, experts predict swift commercialization of these technologies. Bi Yalei, secretary general of the Shenzhen Robotics Association, stated, "As technology matures and industries integrate faster, we will soon see robots 'sprinting' into our homes." Bi believes that from mastering walking to executing flips, China's humanoid robots are boldly leaping forward into the future.

humanoid, robots, technology