Chinese humanoid robot maker Engine AI has unveiled plans to send a humanoid robot into space, aiming to create the world’s first robot astronaut.

The Shenzhen-based company announced that it has partnered with Beijing Interstellar Human Spaceflight Technology, a commercial space firm, to launch the Humanoid Robot Astronaut Exploration Program.

The mission will deploy Engine AI’s PM01 humanoid platform, a general-purpose embodied intelligent system featuring high-precision environmental sensors, ultra-fast motion response, and autonomous decision-making capabilities.

Last year, EngineAI claimed its PM01 became the first humanoid robot to successfully execute a front flip.

China’s robot astronaut

Engine AI said space exploration places far greater demands on robots than any Earth-based application, requiring exceptional performance stability, environmental adaptability, and autonomous decision-making. Unlike terrestrial settings, space missions expose machines to vacuum conditions, microgravity, extreme temperature swings, and high levels of radiation, pushing robotic systems far beyond conventional operating limits, reports CNEVPost.

To address these challenges, the Shenzhen-based robotics startup said it will work closely with commercial space company Interstellor to further develop the PM01 humanoid robot’s reliability in space environments. The partnership will focus on improving the robot’s adaptability, resilience, and mission execution capabilities, with the long-term goal of enabling PM01 to operate independently during complex space tasks.

According to Engine AI, humanoid robots like PM01 could outperform humans in certain space missions by surpassing physiological limits and taking on high-risk roles. These include external maintenance of space stations, exploration of hazardous areas, and long-duration monitoring tasks that could otherwise expose astronauts to significant danger. By deploying humanoid robots for such operations, the company says mission risks for human crews could be substantially reduced, reports Pan Daily.

Both Engine AI and Interstellor said they plan to jointly tackle key technical challenges to position PM01 as the world’s first humanoid robot astronaut. The initiative represents a major step in China’s push to integrate embodied artificial intelligence into space exploration.

AI eyes orbit

Engine AI has also been expanding PM01’s commercial presence on Earth. In June last year, the company launched a lightweight, highly dynamic, fully open version of the humanoid robot, PM01 JD Joy Inside, on JD.com, priced at about $27,000. This model integrates JD’s Joy Inside AI system, enabling smoother conversations, coordinated behaviors, role customization, persona development, and personalized voice styles, reports Pan Daily.

The PM01 is a compact humanoid robot designed for researchers seeking to merge human-like motion with advanced robotic intelligence. It features a highly interactive core display, a bionic structure that mimics human movement, and a distinctive waist that rotates up to 320 degrees. The robot is built around a durable aluminum-alloy exoskeleton, balancing strength with agility.

Compared with EngineAI’s full-sized flagship humanoid, the SE01, the PM01 is significantly smaller and lighter. It stands 1.38 meters tall and weighs about 40 kilograms, making it 27 centimeters shorter and 8 kilograms lighter than its larger counterpart. Demonstration footage released by EngineAI highlights the PM01’s advanced visual perception, powered by an Intel RealSense depth camera that enables accurate spatial awareness.

The robot’s dual-chip architecture combines an NVIDIA Jetson Orin module with an Intel N97 CPU, delivering the high-performance computing needed to handle complex perception, motion control, and demanding real-time workloads.

Meanwhile, Interstellor is advancing its own space ambitions. On January 22, the company hosted its “Next Stop, Space” global launch event, unveiling a roadmap for commercial crewed spaceflight and space tourism. Under the plan, the CYZ1 vehicle could launch as early as 2028, offering passengers a brief zero-gravity experience at an altitude of 100 kilometers.

A more advanced mission, CYZ2, is targeted for deployment around 2032, aiming to reach an orbital altitude of 400 kilometers and enable true space tourism, reports Pan Daily.