The Chinese company Zhongqing Robotics, also known as EngineAI, has unveiled the PM01 humanoid robot, which can do a forward somersault. The developers claim that this is the first machine to successfully perform such a complex acrobatic trick.
Robots that can do a backflip are unlikely to surprise anyone today — Boston Dynamics’ Atlas was able to do this back in 2017. However, a forward somersault is much more difficult — at least for humans. When rotating, visual control over the ground is lost, and it is much more difficult to correctly group and land. In addition, a backflip involves stronger back and leg muscles, while a front flip puts a greater load on the abs and hip flexors.
However, such difficulties are insignificant for a robot — it does not experience fear, does not think before jumping, and does not worry about an unsuccessful landing. Powerful electric motors, precise hinges, and the right algorithm are enough.
In addition to acrobatics, PM01 has good mobility: its limbs have 23 degrees of freedom, and the torque reaches 300 N m. The robot weighs 40 kg with a height of 138 cm, and its price is $ 13,700. Apparently, the development of robotics is bringing closer the moment when such machines will become part of everyday life.
