Arena Ready: EngineAI Slates URKL Debut Following CES Launch and State Endorsement

EngineAI is transitioning its high-torque marketing into a competitive reality. Following a flurry of activity in early 2026—including a global debut at CES and a high-profile inspection by China’s state leadership—the Shenzhen-based startup has confirmed that the Ultimate Robot Knock-out Legend (URKL) competition will commence on February 9, 2026. The "offline launch event" is billed under the tagline "Disrupt, Clash for the Peak," signaling a move toward live, high-impact combat for the T800 humanoid platform.

A Global Debut at CES 2026

The announcement follows the T800’s global debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Positioning the machine as an "application-oriented" system, EngineAI utilized the world stage to showcase the T800’s high-efficiency universal design.

The technical specifications revealed at the show underscore why the robot is being positioned for combat:

• High-Torque Architecture: The T800 features an integrated joint module capable of 450 N·m of peak torque and 14,000 W of instantaneous joint power.
• Anthropomorphic Mobility: The robot achieves high levels of coordination via specialized joint structures in the neck, waist, and hands, allowing for dynamic martial arts maneuvers.
• Endurance and Cooling: Leg joints are equipped with active cooling systems to maintain performance during high-intensity operations, supported by a modular solid-state battery providing up to four hours of runtime.

From "Webster Backflips" to State Praise

EngineAI’s momentum received a significant political boost in early January 2026. During an inspection tour of Guangdong Province from January 3 to 5, Premier Li Qiang visited the company’s Shenzhen headquarters. The Premier observed live demonstrations of the PM01 model which performed a "Webster backflip" on stage.

Li Qiang emphasized the need to expand application scenarios and refine the industrial ecosystem for humanoids, praising EngineAI’s technological innovation. This state-level affirmation coincides with the company’s infrastructure expansion: a new 9,000-square-meter facility in Xili Honghualing is set for completion in 2026 to handle large-scale R&D, assembly, and testing.

The "Real Steel" Arms Race

The launch of URKL places EngineAI in the center of a growing global fascination with robot combat sports. While EngineAI focuses on the T800's autonomous agility, others are exploring human-in-the-loop systems.

The US-based REK (Robot Embodied Kombat) has already pioneered VR-controlled bipedal fighting, using human operators to "embody" machines in the ring. While REK has primarily used Unitree platforms, EngineAI is positioning its T800 as a uniquely "combat-ready" alternative, leveraging earlier behind-the-scenes footage and viral stunts—such as its CEO absorbing a full-force kick—to prove its machine can withstand real-world impacts.

Industrial Foundations

Despite the entertainment-focused branding of URKL, the event remains a stress-test for the company’s broader commercial strategy. EngineAI has already secured strategic partnerships with tech giants Tencent and JD.com to explore real-world deployment.

This dual-track approach—testing hardware limits in the ring while opening pre-orders at $25,000—is intended to validate the technology before its transition to retail "Cyber Staff" and industrial logistics roles later this year. As the February 9th start date approaches, the industry will watch to see if EngineAI's "action hero" can deliver on its technical promises under the pressure of live competition.