Humanoid robot joins police patrols in China

Wearing high-visibility police vests, the robots patrol alongside human officers, interact with passersby, and respond to voice commands, according to tech site Interesting Engineering. Footage circulating online shows a PM01 robot waving at pedestrians, highlighting its role in public security efforts.

Standing 1.38 meters tall and weighing 40 kilograms, the PM01 is more compact and lightweight than many other full-sized humanoids. Its design includes enhanced mobility features such as a 320-degree waist rotation, making it well-suited for both academic research and industrial uses, according to Shenzhen Government Online.

The PM01’s business and education versions are priced at 88,000 yuan (around US$12,000), about US$3,000 less than Chinese competitor Unitree Robotics’ G1, the first humanoid robot capable of performing a kip-up and set to fight in the world’s first humanoid boxing match.

Last month, EngineAI announced that the PM01 became the first humanoid robot to successfully execute a frontflip. Footage shows the robot completing the stunt and later walking through the Shenzhen Tourist Information Center, earning applause from bystanders. Although currently used in limited trials, the PM01 is assisting Shenzhen police with patrol duties, potentially easing officers’ workloads.

The move reflects China’s broader efforts to integrate robotics into law enforcement and emergency services.

In December 2024, authorities tested the RT-G, an autonomous spherical robot developed by Logon Technology. Built for extreme environments, it can navigate land and water at speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour and withstand impacts of up to four tons.

Meanwhile, Deep Robotics' Lynx model blends wheeled efficiency with walking agility, enabling it to climb stairs and traverse rough terrain such as dirt, gravel, and pavement. Designed for emergency rescue, fire detection, security, and scientific exploration, the quadruped is suited for hazardous or hard-to-reach environments.

According to the South China Morning Post, in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, another wheeled patrol robot has demonstrated real-world effectiveness, helping reunite a lost three-year-old child with their family.