Nvidia Scientist Impressed by Chinese Humanoid Robot, Sparking Interest
A robotics company based in Shenzhen is making waves in the industry with its latest humanoid robot model, which has caught the attention of a senior research scientist at Nvidia. Engine AI, the Chinese start-up behind the innovative robot, is aiming to stand out in the competitive Chinese market by offering its product at a more affordable price point, addressing the monetisation challenges faced by many firms in the industry.
The video showcasing Engine AI's humanoid robot, named SE01, went viral online after Jim Fan from Nvidia shared it on social media, expressing his intrigue by asking, "Is this real?" Fan, who leads Nvidia's AI Agents Initiative, commended the natural walking gaits displayed by the robot but questioned whether the movements were generated by artificial intelligence.
After confirming the authenticity of the video, Fan expressed his enthusiasm for the robot's capabilities, stating, "Walking gait's got swag but we need these robots to go firefighting [as soon as possible]." Engine AI initially shared the video on Chinese social media platforms, where it garnered attention for its lifelike movements and interactions with onlookers at a commercial complex.
Standing at 170cm tall, the SE01 robot is designed for both industrial and home use, capable of executing human-like movements such as squats, push-ups, walking in circles, and object manipulation. Engine AI, established in October 2023, has introduced various humanoid robots, including the open-source bipedal robot SA01, priced at 38,500 yuan (US$5,250), and the taller PM01 model priced at 88,000 yuan.
The company's co-founder, Yao Qiyuan, revealed that Engine AI aims to maintain the price range of its full-sized humanoid robots between 150,000 yuan and 200,000 yuan, with a focus on keeping production costs below 100,000 yuan per robot. Engine AI was founded by Zhao Tongyang, who previously founded Dogotix, a robotics start-up acquired by Chinese electric vehicle company Xpeng in 2020, before venturing into establishing Engine AI.
In August, the new robotics start-up secured seed funding from investors, including SenseCapital, the venture capital arm of Chinese AI company SenseTime. Engine AI is part of a growing trend in China, where companies are striving to develop practical applications for human-shaped intelligent machines, although some are facing challenges in generating profits despite significant investments.
UBTech Robotics, China's leading humanoid robot manufacturer that went public in Hong Kong in 2023, reported an annual loss of 1.23 billion yuan that year, marking an increase from the previous year. Following a recent market downturn, UBTech Robotics has seen a decline of over 50% in its share value since its initial public offering.
Nvidia scientist praises Engine AI's humanoid robot for its natural movements
Engine AI aims to offer affordable humanoid robots for industrial and home use
Company co-founder previously involved in robotics start-up acquired by Xpeng
Source: SCMP