Chinese robotics player EngineAI has escalated its response to growing skepticism around its new T800 humanoid robot.
After online speculation suggested earlier demonstration videos were CGI, the Shenzhen-based company released a new clip showing its CEO wearing protective padding while being kicked by the machine.
The stunt aims to confirm the robot’s physical capabilities and counter claims of digital trickery, marking an unusual strategy in a sector where technical specifications typically serve as proof.
Last week, the Shenzhen-based firm revealed T800, a full-scale general-purpose humanoid robot, also positioned as a platform for controlled fighting demonstrations scheduled later this year.
Robot kick controversy
EngineAI has released new footage showing its founder and CEO, Zhao Tongyang, being knocked to the ground by a forceful kick from the company’s newly launched humanoid robot, the T800.
Shot from multiple angles, the clip shows the robot remaining steady after the strike and posing briefly. Despite viral attention across Chinese and Western platforms, responses are split—some calling the demo bold, others suggesting the impact appeared staged, reports Mikekalil.com.
When EngineAI unveiled the T800, a dramatic video showing the robot performing flying kicks and breaking down doors sparked debate over its authenticity. The original clip, set in a dark studio, led some viewers to suspect CGI due to its stylized editing and lighting, despite the company’s claim of “no CGI, no AI, no video speed-up.”
To address the skepticism, EngineAI released new behind-the-scenes footage on X titled “EngineAI T800 BTS Footage: Setting the Record Straight on CGI Rumors.” The video shows the robot in a plain studio environment, offering clear evidence that its fast, precise movements are physically real.
The T800 arrives in a rapidly expanding field dominated by companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Figure AI. While most competitors emphasize industrial and logistics applications, EngineAI is taking a different approach, promoting the robot with a “combat-ready” image and announcing plans for a robot fighting tournament. The strategy has drawn significant attention, though some observers suggest it could overshadow more practical use cases.
According to Humanoidsdaily, the CEO’s sparring session sets the stage for EngineAI’s upcoming “Robot Boxer” event on December 24. The company has hinted for weeks at a combat-ready T800, indicating these high-intensity demonstrations are part of a deliberate strategy rather than isolated stunts.
Next-gen mobility
EngineAI’s T800 is a full-size humanoid robot designed for high mobility, endurance, and versatile task performance. It stands 5.6 feet (173 cm) tall, weighs 165 pounds (75 kg) with its battery installed, and includes 29 degrees of freedom throughout its body, along with 7 DOF in each articulated hand.
EngineAI says the T800 is built with aviation-grade aluminum panels to balance strength and low weight, paired with a streamlined exterior for efficiency and durability. One of its notable engineering features is an active cooling system embedded in the leg joints, allowing the robot to operate continuously at high intensity for up to four hours. This is powered by a modular solid-state lithium battery design that supports quick replacement and extended runtime.
For perception and navigation, the T800 uses a multi-sensor suite that includes 360-degree LiDAR, stereo cameras, and fast-response environmental processing for obstacle detection and situational awareness. Its high-torque joint motors can reach up to 450 Nm, enabling fast directional transitions and advanced movements such as acrobatic rotations and airborne kicks.
On the computing side, the platform combines an Intel N97 controller with an NVIDIA AGX Orin module, offering 275 TOPS of AI computing performance and support for custom development. The robot reaches walking speeds of up to three meters per second and is intended for applications ranging from logistics and hospitality to collaborative tasks and general service roles.
