China’s EngineAI has unveiled a humanoid robot that nails the iconic “Axe Gang” dance from the 2004 martial arts comedy Kung Fu Hustle. The video, which dropped on YouTube on March 16, 2025, shows the robot performing the film’s synchronized, swagger-filled moves with jaw-dropping precision. It’s a moment that’s got tech fans buzzing and movie buffs reminiscing about Stephen Chow’s classic.
The PM01 is EngineAI’s latest creation, a compact humanoid robot that’s as agile as it is impressive. Standing at 1.38 meters tall and weighing 40 kilograms, this little powerhouse is designed to move like a human—or, in this case, dance like one. It’s got 24 degrees of freedom (think of those as super-flexible joints), a waist that twists up to 320 degrees, and a high-tech brain powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin and Intel’s N97 CPUs. Plus, it’s equipped with an Intel RealSense depth camera, giving it the ability to “see” its surroundings. This isn’t your average robot—it’s a marvel built to push the limits of what machines can do.
What makes the PM01 truly special is its knack for mastering complex human movements. In this case, it’s taken on the “Axe Gang” dance from Kung Fu Hustle, a cult classic loved for its wild mix of martial arts, comedy, and unforgettable scenes. If you haven’t seen the movie, picture a group of sharp-dressed gangsters strutting in perfect sync—it’s over-the-top, hilarious, and iconic. The PM01 doesn’t just mimic the moves; it nails them with an almost uncanny precision.
None of this would be possible without the brilliant team at EngineAI. Based in Shenzhen—China’s tech hotspot often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Hardware”—the company was founded by a group of robotics enthusiasts and engineers determined to bring humanoid robots into our everyday lives. Their passion shines through in the PM01, which builds on the success of their earlier SE01 model, launched in late 2024. The team’s goal is ambitious: create robots that can work alongside humans in labs, factories, or even homes. And they’re not just dreaming big—they’re delivering.
Take the PM01’s development, for instance. Teaching a robot to dance isn’t as simple as uploading a few lines of code. EngineAI’s team paired the PM01 with professional choreographers in what they call “dance battles.” Picture this: humans and robots facing off, with the choreographers showing off their moves and the PM01 learning to keep up. The result? A robot that can sync its joints to within 0.01 seconds of perfection—pretty mind-blowing, right? It’s a testament to the team’s creativity and grit, blending human artistry with robotic precision.
So, what’s the secret sauce behind the PM01’s dance skills? It’s a combo of advanced tech and clever engineering. At its core, the robot likely uses motion capture technology—the same stuff Hollywood uses to animate characters like Gollum in The Lord of the Rings. Choreographers’ movements were probably recorded and mapped onto the PM01, giving it a blueprint for the “Axe Gang” routine. From there, sophisticated AI algorithms took over, fine-tuning every step and sway to make the performance seamless.
The PM01’s hardware plays a big role, too. Those 24 degrees of freedom let it bend and twist in ways that mimic human flexibility while its powerful NVIDIA and Intel chips crunch the data needed to coordinate every move. The depth camera adds another layer, helping the robot navigate its space and stay in rhythm. It’s a high-tech dance party, and the PM01 is the star.
EngineAI isn’t the only player in the humanoid robot game—far from it. The robotics world is buzzing with innovation, and companies like Boston Dynamics and Unitree are pushing the boundaries right alongside them. Based in the U.S., Boston Dynamics is famous for its Spot robot dog and Atlas, a humanoid bot that’s wowed us with backflips and parkour.
Meanwhile, China’s Unitree has its own contender, the G1, a fast, agile humanoid robot priced at $16,000. The PM01, at ¥ $88,000 (about $12,000), undercuts the G1 by $4,000, making it a budget-friendly option without skimping on capability.
This dance demo isn’t just for show, either—it’s part of a bigger trend. Humanoid robots are popping up everywhere, from factories to police stations. The PM01 has even been tested for patrol duties in Shenzhen, hinting at its potential beyond entertainment. The global robotics market is exploding, with experts predicting it’ll reach $169.8 billion by 2032, fueled by advances in AI and automation. EngineAI is riding that wave, planning to churn out over 1,000 PM and PA series robots units by the end of 2025 for tasks like home assistance and industrial work.
There’s more to this story than tech, though. By picking the “Axe Gang” dance, EngineAI is nodding to a cultural gem. Kung Fu Hustle isn’t just a movie—it’s a phenomenon, especially in Asia, where its quirky charm has won over millions.
Seeing a robot recreate one of its standout moments feels like a fun bridge between cinema and the future. Plus, the PM01 isn’t a one-trick pony—back in February 2025, it made headlines as the first humanoid robot to land a frontflip, proving it’s got skills beyond the dance floor.