EngineAI
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
EngineAI is a robotics company developing advanced general-purpose humanoid robots designed for a variety of applications, from research to industrial automation. EngineAI was founded in 2023. The company is led by Zhao Tongyang. Based in Shenzhen, China. Team size: N/A. Total funding raised: $384 million. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include Henan Investment Group Huirong Fund, Luxshare Precision, Rockets Capital (XPeng), JD.com, Stone Venture, CATL Capital / Puquan, Yintai Group, TH Capital, Huangpu River Capital, SenseCapital, Highlight Capital, Baidu Ventures.
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Shenzhen, China
- Team size
- N/A
- Total funding
- $384 million
Value proposition
EngineAI's main value proposition is providing highly agile and human-like humanoid robots at a competitive price. They focus on advanced mobility, such as a natural walking gait, and cost-effective design through in-house, full-stack development to make the technology more accessible.
Products and solutions
T800: Full-size high-mobility general-purpose humanoid (1.73m, ~75kg, up to 450 N·m joint torque, solid-state battery, 4–5h runtime); Basic from ~¥180k; mass delivery from Shenzhen base May 2026; combat platform for URKL., SE01: Full-size humanoid (~1.70m, 32 DOF) with industry-first natural human-like gait, up to ~2 m/s., PM01: Lightweight open embodied agent (1.38m, 24 DOF); world's first humanoid front flip (Feb 2025)., SA01: Extensible open bipedal platform for research/education (launched Jul 2024)., JS01: Heavy-duty quadruped 'Leopard'., S2: Original-IP service robot for customer/public settings.
Unique value
EngineAI stands out for the advanced and human-like mobility of its robots. Its SE01 model solved the common 'choppy steps' problem in robotics, achieving a natural gait, while the PM01 is the world's first humanoid robot to perform a frontflip. Their robots can also learn complex movements by observing humans, as demonstrated by one model learning a dance routine.
Target customer
The company targets multiple segments, including AI developers, robotics researchers, and various industries. Their lower-cost PM01 model is specifically aimed at making humanoid robotics more accessible for research and development.
Industries served
Scientific Research & Education, Industrial & Manufacturing, Healthcare (e.g., nursing homes), Logistics, Civil Service & Public Safety
Technology advantage
The company's advantage lies in its full-stack, in-house development of both hardware and software, including a proprietary multimodal large model named 'SEED'. They utilize a combination of reinforcement and imitation learning, and a dual-chip computing architecture (NVIDIA and Intel) to power their robots. This integrated approach allows for rapid innovation and cost reduction, enabling competitive pricing.
How they differentiate
EngineAI differentiates itself with a focus on creating a realistic and natural, human-like gait for its robots, achieved through an advanced end-to-end neural network system. Their PM01 robot is a lightweight, highly dynamic, and fully open universal embodied intelligent robot for commercial and educational use. The company's robots are also known for their agility, with the PM01 capable of a 320-degree waist spin and a frontflip.
Main competitors
Unitree Robotics, UBTECH, Fourier Intelligence
Key partnerships
Rockets Capital / XPeng-backed (Pre-A++ lead), JD.com (A1 lead; commercial ecosystem), Luxshare Precision (Series B joint lead; manufacturing), Henan Investment Group Huirong Fund (A2/B lead; Zhengzhou production base), Duolun Technology (deployment partnership, 2025), University talent links (Tsinghua, UC Berkeley, HKU, Purdue), Chuanyuezhe commercial space partnership for humanoid space exploration (2026), URKL humanoid combat league ecosystem (2026)
Notable customers
While specific customers have not been publicly named, EngineAI's robots are being trialed in various applications, including sorting garbage, delivering medicines in nursing homes, and patrolling streets. The PM01 robot has also been showcased at the Shenzhen Tourist Information Center.
Major milestones
Founded October 2023 (Zhao Tongyang / Ren Guowen)., Jul 2024: SA01 open bipedal platform., Oct 2024: SE01 natural gait humanoid; CCTV New Year exposure., Dec 2024: PM01 launch., Feb 2025: PM01 world's-first humanoid front flip., Jul 2025: Pre-A++ and A1 ~RMB 1B ($139.3M)., Dec 2025: T800 launch; A1+/A2 rounds., Jan 2026: Joint-stock reform; space/astronaut partnership (Chuanyuezhe/PM01)., Apr 2026: Series B $200M, valuation >RMB 10B (~$1.4B)., May 2026: T800 mass delivery from Shenzhen Honghualing base; Zhengzhou manufacturing HQ., Jul 2026: Debuted URKL, world's first full-size humanoid freestyle combat league.
Growth metrics
Founded Oct 2023; raised ~$384M through Series B (Apr 2026) at >RMB 10B valuation. Hundreds of PM01 units in 2025; T800 mass delivery from ~12,000 m² Shenzhen base (May 2026); Zhengzhou plant targeting multi-thousand annual capacity. Framework orders reported >¥500M by early 2026. Launched URKL combat league (Jul 2026).
Market positioning
EngineAI is positioning itself as a key player in the competitive Chinese humanoid robotics market, aiming to compete with both domestic and international giants like Unitree and Tesla. They target a wide range of applications, from industrial and manufacturing to research and education, with a focus on creating adaptable, intelligent robots.
Geographic focus
The primary geographic focus is China, with a strong presence in Shenzhen. The company is also making its presence known globally by participating in international events like CES.
Patents and IP
Specific patent information is not publicly available.
About Zhao Tongyang
Serial entrepreneur; IoT startup (2012); humanoid R&D from ~2016; co-founded Shenzhen Pengxing Intelligent Research with XPeng Motors (post-2018), led XPeng humanoid/PX5 work; left 2023 to found EngineAI with core team from Pengxing.
More Robotics / Embodied AI companies
Official website: https://www.engineai.com.cn
