Chinese robotics firm EngineAI has released new footage of its compact humanoid robot, PM01, performing a series of balance and recovery demonstrations designed to highlight control rather than raw speed.
In the video, the robot dances before being deliberately pushed and kicked off balance. Instead of falling over completely, it absorbs the force, adjusts its posture in real time, and resumes its rhythm within seconds. The movements appear fluid and closely resemble human reactions to sudden disruption.
The robot also executes a controlled front flip, coordinating arm swing, core stabilization, and landing mechanics before returning to a stable stance. Another sequence shows PM01 lying flat on its back, then smoothly shifting its weight and rising to its feet in a motion that mirrors how a person would brace and stand up.
Why smaller may be smarter
PM01’s compact build plays a key role in its stability.
Experts cited by Interesting Engineering note that shorter humanoids benefit from a lower center of mass, reducing tipping risk and requiring less rotational torque during flips and recovery. In simple terms, being smaller makes it easier to stay upright and manage impact.
Full-sized humanoids, by contrast, experience greater mechanical stress during landings and need stronger actuators, reinforced joints, and heavier structural support to maintain balance.
In the small humanoid category, PM01 competes with models such as the Unitree G1 and the Booster T1. The focus in this segment is shifting from headline-grabbing speed to refined stability and controlled motion under stress.
Hardware behind the balance
The PM01 combines visual perception and onboard computing to maintain stability during unexpected contact.
It uses an Intel RealSense depth camera for environmental awareness and spatial mapping. Its dual-chip architecture integrates NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin platform with an Intel N97 processor, supporting real-time AI workloads and rapid balance correction.
The robot features 24 degrees of freedom, including 12 joint motors, allowing coordinated movement across its limbs and torso. It can walk at up to around 2 meters per second (approximately 4.5 mph), placing it ahead of some smaller competitors but behind high-speed humanoid platforms built primarily for sprint performance.
Humanoid robotics companies have already demonstrated machines capable of sprinting and performing acrobatic stunts. The latest focus appears to be on resilience, how a robot handles unexpected contact, slips, or falls.
Rather than chasing top speed, EngineAI’s latest showcase centers on recovery: recalculating balance, adjusting joint torque, and staying upright after disruption.
If humanoid robots are to operate in warehouses, hospitals, or public spaces, the ability to recover safely may matter more than a perfectly executed flip.