The archive · Hardware & Devices · Product decision · 2023–2026
EngineAI bets humanoid front flip can be mass-produced
Shenzhen humanoid robot firm founded 2023; gained attention with world's first front flip; April 2026 Series B $200M, valuation over RMB 10B.
EngineAI (众擎机器人)
What the business is
Builds general-purpose humanoid robots: full-stack in-house development of the body, motors, reducers, motion-control algorithms, and embodied large models; sells for scientific research and education, commercial services, and industrial scenarios.
How it started
In the second half of 2023, after Zhao Tongyang left XPeng Robotics (小鹏鹏行), he founded EngineAI (众擎机器人); the company was established in Shenzhen in October, and the team came from UC Berkeley, Tsinghua University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Tokyo, with full-stack in-house development from motors, reducers, and controllers to motion-control algorithms.
What happened
In July 2025, it completed the Pre-A++ round (invested by XPeng-affiliated Xinghang Capital (星航资本)) and the A1 round (led by JD.com (京东), with participation from CATL's Puquan Capital (宁德时代溥泉资本), Yintai (银泰), and others); in December, it completed the A1+ and A2 rounds (led by Huangpu River Capital (黄浦江资本), Henan Investment Group's Huirong Fund (河南投资集团汇融基金), and Huakong Fund (华控基金)). In the same year, the PM01 completed the world's first humanoid robot front flip, the full-size T800 was released and large-scale sales began; according to Omdia's methodology, 2025 shipments were about 400 units, ranking fifth globally.
How it ended up
On April 9, 2026, it announced the completion of a $200 million Series B, with a valuation exceeding RMB 10 billion; the first batch of T800 robots rolled off the production line in Shenzhen and Zhengzhou; the team expanded from about 48 people at the end of 2024 to several hundred, targeting deliveries at the 10,000-unit level; in August, former XPeng (小鹏) product VP Chen Yonghai joined as operations president.
Background
EngineAI builds general-purpose humanoids with in-house body, motors, reducers, controllers, motion algorithms; added embodied large models in 2026; targets research, education, commercial, industrial; emphasizes full-size, high locomotion, dexterous hand.
Founded by Zhao Tongyang in late 2023; previously co-founded XPeng Robotics and served as GM; team from UC Berkeley, Tsinghua, CUHK, UTokyo; entered from body and cerebellum; PM01 did world's first front flip in 2025.
Capital accelerated in 2025: Pre-A++ from Xinghang; A1 led by JD.com with CATL's Puquan and Yintai; A1+ and A2 led by Huangpu River, Henan Huirong, Huakong; added CCTV Fund, Guozhong. Released T800; Omdia ranked EngineAI fifth with ~400 units in 2025.
April 9, 2026: announced $200M Series B, valuation over RMB 10B; first T800s rolled off lines; team grew from ~48 to several hundred; shifting from demos to orders, mass production, delivery; sprinting to 10,000 annual shipments.
What has to be true
- Founder's second venture reused XPeng Robotics experience, supply chains, and team, giving higher starting point.
- World's first front flip provided strong visibility in 2025 embodied AI boom, accelerating financing (multiple rounds in one year).
- Capital structure is industry alliance: JD.com, CATL's Puquan, XPeng-affiliated Xinghang, Yintai bound customers and supply chain.
- Industry window exists: Omdia forecasts 2.6M humanoid shipments by 2035 from 13K in 2025; mass production is watershed.
What can be applied
Competition shifts from demos to mass production: front flip earns financing, but survival depends on 10,000-unit annual deliveries; fame secures funding, production lines keep company alive.
Aftermath
As of 2026-09-01: EngineAI sprints toward scaled delivery. First T800 batch rolled off Shenzhen and Zhengzhou lines. April 2026: Li Liyun (ex-XPeng autonomous driving) joined for AI models; August: ex-XPeng product VP Chen Yonghai as operations president. 2026 target: 10,000-unit deliveries. Industry still relies on research and education (Unitree's prospectus: ~70% humanoid revenue from that), commercialization unresolved.
Sources
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