GUANGZHOU, China—In a bold move echoing Tesla’s ambitions, Chinese electric vehicle giant Xpeng Motors has unveiled plans to mass-produce advanced humanoid robots by the end of 2026, signaling a major pivot into robotics and autonomous technologies. At its 2025 Tech Day event, Xpeng showcased its next-generation IRON humanoid robot, touted as the ‘most human-like’ in the industry, complete with solid-state batteries and proprietary AI chips.

The announcement comes amid intensifying competition in China’s EV and AI sectors, where companies like Xpeng are diversifying beyond cars to capture emerging markets in robotics. According to CNBC, Xpeng is set to launch robotaxis next year while advancing its humanoid efforts, positioning itself as a multifaceted tech powerhouse.

Unveiling the IRON Humanoid

The IRON robot, revealed at the 2025 XPeng Tech Day, features over 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds. TechNode reports that it’s equipped with a full-solid-state battery and an AI brain, enabling human-like movements and interactions.

Xpeng’s CEO He Xiaopeng emphasized the robot’s ‘human-like’ design during the event, as detailed by CnEVPost. The company aims to integrate technologies from its EVs, such as AI chips and sensors, into the robot, creating synergies across its product lines.

Path to Mass Production

Xpeng now targets mass production of these advanced humanoids by the end of 2026, an acceleration from earlier timelines. The Information notes that the company plans to start with trial operations and scale up, avoiding initial deployments in factories or homes to focus on commercial viability.

Posts on X highlight industry excitement, with users noting Xpeng’s five-year development effort and specs like 3,000 TOPS computing power and 22 degrees of freedom per hand. This push is part of a broader strategy, including the launch of three robotaxi models in 2026, as per CNBC Africa.

Technological Innovations Driving the Push

A key innovation is the use of solid-state batteries in the IRON robot, which Financial Times describes as lighter and safer, potentially driving demand for this technology in robotics. Xpeng’s self-developed AI chips, including the Turing chip, will power both robots and vehicles.

Sherwood News draws parallels to Tesla, noting Xpeng’s mimicry in EVs, robotaxis, robots, and AI chips. The company’s VLT AI model, unveiled at the event, promises enhanced predictive capabilities, processing vast operations per second.

Market Context and Competition

In China’s competitive landscape, Xpeng’s robotics foray follows similar moves by rivals like Xiaomi and BYD. Robotics and Automation News reported earlier plans for mass production in 2026, now confirmed with specific timelines.

He Xiaopeng highlighted partnerships, such as with Volkswagen for the second-generation VLA and Turing chips, as per 36Kr. This collaboration could extend to robotics, bolstering Xpeng’s tech ecosystem.

Robotaxi Integration and Future Plans

Xpeng plans to launch three robotaxi models next year and initiate trials in Guangzhou, according to The Information (link). This dual focus on robotaxis and humanoids underscores a strategy to dominate autonomous mobility.

Humanoids Daily details the commercial strategy, emphasizing avoidance of home use initially to prioritize scalable applications like warehouses or services, drawing from examples like Tiangong robots in China.

Challenges and Industry Implications

Despite the optimism, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles and technological maturity. Seeking Alpha notes Xpeng’s stock movements tied to these announcements, reflecting investor sentiment on the high-stakes bet.

Industry insiders on X express both awe and skepticism, with videos of the IRON robot in EV factories showcasing real-world potential, but questions linger on cost and scalability for mass production by 2026.

Economic and Global Impact

Xpeng’s push could reshape labor markets, particularly in manufacturing-heavy China. With ambitions for large-scale production starting in April 2026, as per posts on X, the company aims to lead the ‘fierce battle’ for humanoid robot markets.

Globally, this intensifies the robotics race, pitting Xpeng against Tesla’s Optimus and others. CNBC reports Xpeng’s reversal from earlier doubts on robotaxis, now embracing them as a ‘real business’ opportunity.

Strategic Vision from Leadership

CEO He Xiaopeng’s vision includes four major technologies: humanoid robots, L4-level autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, and AI chips, as unveiled at the event. This integrated approach, credited by Yuan Talks, positions Xpeng at the forefront of AI-driven innovation.

As ChinaBiz Insider points out, Xpeng is evolving beyond EVs, with solid-state batteries and advanced AI setting new benchmarks. The company’s progress, tracked over years, culminates in this 2026 milestone.