Chinese Engineers Unveil World's First Forward-Flipping Humanoid Robot

In a groundbreaking achievement, the Chinese robotics company Zhongqing Robotics, also known as EngineAI, has introduced the PM01, a humanoid robot capable of performing a forward somersault. According to its developers, this is the first machine to successfully execute such a complex acrobatic maneuver.

Why is a Forward Flip So Challenging?

While backflipping robots are no longer a novelty—Boston Dynamics' Atlas accomplished this feat back in 2017—a forward flip is significantly more difficult, at least for humans. This is because:

A forward rotation disrupts visual contact with the ground, making spatial awareness trickier.
Proper body coordination and landing precision are more complex compared to a backflip.
A backflip utilizes the stronger muscles of the back and legs, whereas a front flip places more strain on the core and hip flexors.
However, for a robot, these human-centric challenges are irrelevant. It doesn't experience fear, hesitation, or concern about an imperfect landing. Instead, successful execution comes down to powerful electric motors, precision-engineered joints, and an optimized algorithm.

PM01 More Than Just Acrobatics

Beyond its impressive flipping skills, the PM01 offers exceptional mobility. Its specifications include:

23 degrees of freedom in limb movement, ensuring high flexibility.
Torque output of up to 300 N·m, allowing dynamic motion control.
Weight of 40 kg and height of 138 cm, giving it a humanoid-like structure.
A price tag of $13,700, making it a relatively accessible model in the robotics market.