Remember those old sci-fi movies where robots walked in a stiff, unnatural way? Well, the SE01 di EngineAI makes them look like wind-up toys. This robot not only walks like a human, but does so with a style and grace that would make many of us envious. The video of its public debut has gone viral on the web, leaving everyone speechless. If you haven't seen it, I'll put it here right away: so we don't have to think about it anymore.
A walk that makes history
Imagine walking the streets of Shenzhen, China and bumping into SE01 walking calmly next to you. You would be the only one to believe his eyes, because anyone who watches a video (including me) initially thinks it is a CGI animation, so fluid and natural is his walk. A seemingly ordinary moment actually marks a milestone in the field of robotics. SE01 isn’t just taking a walk, it’s proving that the barriers between man and machine are becoming increasingly blurred.
But what makes SE01 so special? First, its design challenges traditional notions of robotic movement. Goodbye jerky and mechanical movements, hello fluid and graceful strides. SE01 can walk, do squats, push-ups and even perform precision tasks with a fluidity that rivals natural human movement. Under its “hood,” the humanoid robot hides a veritable arsenal of technology. It is equipped with sophisticated harmonic force control modules in its joints and uses reinforcement learning and by imitation, all powered by its end-to-end neural network model. Simply put, SE01 learns by observation and repetition, just like we would.
SE01 is not just a pretty face (well, “pretty”…)
This 170cm tall robot is a true all-rounder, designed to perform demanding tasks, from heavy lifting to detailed assembly in intricate factory environments. And it doesn't stop there. The SE01 is equipped with a computer NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and a 10.000 mAh quick-release battery. In short, it has the brain of a genius and the energy of a marathon runner (if you want a runner you should turn to to other producers).
SE01 is just one of the jewels presented by EngineAI al This year's CES. This Chinese startup, founded in October 2023, is rapidly climbing the ranks of robotic innovation. With a team of experts from top global universities and companies, EngineAI is proving that “Made in China” is no longer synonymous with low quality. In fact, at this point we also talk about prices, in the box that follows.
Besides SE01, the company also launched SA01, an open-source biped robot for scientific research and education, and PM01, a specialized robot 138 cm tall. And the prices? Competitive. SA01 it costs about 5.250 dollars, while PM01 is wandering around around $ 12.030. SE01, on the other hand, remains mysteriously unpriced, but the co-founder Yao Qiyuan he hinted that it could cost between 20.500 and 27.350 dollars. When this stuff is really efficient (and therefore useful) what will be the right point of intersection between supply and demand? Would you pay for it like a car, or like a big scooter? We'll talk about that again in a few years.
The future is served
EngineAI is pushing the accelerator of the robotic revolution. The company aims to produce over 1.000 units per year by 2025, expanding its product range to meet both industrial and domestic needs. And who knows, maybe in a few years, having a SE01 at home will be as normal as having a Roomba. Only instead of vacuuming the floor, it will prepare you a cocktail or help you with your homework.
Science fiction? No, not anymore. Next time you see someone walking strangely down the street, don't immediately blame it on alcohol. It could just be a robot learning to be among us.