Key Takeaways
1. PM01 is a humanoid police robot designed to assist police officers with monitoring public areas and aiding tourists.
2. The robot features advanced capabilities, including facial recognition and multilingual communication, but is not an independent law enforcement agent.
3. Priced at approximately $14,000, PM01 aims for widespread deployment in various sectors, including education and retail, in addition to policing.
4. The introduction of PM01 has sparked mixed reactions online, with some viewing it as dystopian or “scary,” while others see it as a positive step in technological advancement.
5. The robot gained significant attention after a video demonstration, highlighting both its abilities and the public’s concerns about automation in society.
Humanoid robots have already demonstrated impressive abilities such as Kung Fu and even finishing a half marathon, but now, they might soon be seen in police uniforms. In Shenzhen, China, a humanoid police robot has begun its first patrol. Named PM01 and created by Engine AI, this robot was unveiled as part of a larger effort to integrate robotics into public safety measures. PM01 stands at 4 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 88 pounds, and its main job is to assist police officers with tasks like monitoring public areas and aiding tourists.
Supportive Functionality
PM01 is not an independent law enforcement agent but a support tool meant to help police with their regular responsibilities. It wears a bright vest similar to that of human officers and is driven by industrial-grade actuators. It has a 320° rotating hip that allows it to scan its environment without moving its feet. With facial recognition capabilities and microphones that can understand both Mandarin and Cantonese, PM01 is able to greet people, report lost children, and communicate suspicious activities to a central command center. A video on YouTube shows the robot even doing a forward somersault, showcasing some flair in its abilities.
Affordable Robotics
The price tag for PM01 is approximately 14,000 US dollars, making it relatively budget-friendly and aimed at future widespread deployment in cities—not just for police use, but also in civilian contexts like education and retail.
The PM01 was first revealed during a 40-second clip by the Chinese news agency CGTN on February 26, 2025. Initially, it didn’t attract much attention, but the discussion has picked up significantly on platforms like YouTube and Reddit. The reactions on YouTube have been particularly striking, with many users labeling the robot as “scary,” “dystopian,” or even “sick.” Comparisons to RoboCop and the Terminator are frequently made, often paired with worries about dehumanization, a lack of empathy, and larger ethical concerns. Only a few see PM01 as a natural progression toward an ever-more automated world.
Mixed Reactions on Reddit
Conversely, Reddit users have taken a more optimistic view, with a community that tends to embrace technology and innovation. A post from April 5, 2025, gained notable attention for talking about the robot’s authenticity, sparked by an interaction with streamer IShowSpeed. Many users were astonished and impressed to find out that the robot was indeed real, especially since initial rumors suggested it could be CGI.
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