Humanoid Robots from Chinese Automakers
Although many believe that Tesla remains a monopolist in the field of humanoid robots, Chinese automakers are also actively developing this direction. Among them, the startup Xpeng stands out with ambitious plans: to start production of a humanoid robot by the end of 2026 and sell millions of units worldwide.
Evolution of the Xpeng Robot
Over recent years, Xpeng has evolved from an autonomous dog, similar to Boston Dynamics’ developments, to the seventh generation Iron robot, which resembles the Tesla Bot. The robot operates on its own AI model, Vision-Language-Action 2.0, and was first presented at a large-scale event in China.
Speculations and Evidence
After videos of Iron in a white suit appeared online, rumors emerged that an actor was on stage instead of a robot. To dispel doubts, Xpeng demonstrated the mechanical components by cutting open the robot’s leg right during the presentation.
Prospects of the Robot Market
Xpeng’s CEO He Xiaopeng believes that the production of humanoid robots will eventually become as accessible as car manufacturing. He also notes that the potential of the robot market exceeds that of the automotive market.
According to him, robots will appear in Xpeng showrooms, office centers, and factories by the end of next year. According to JPMorgan’s analysis, the company’s success will depend on the integration of various AI projects, including robotaxis, humanoid robots, and even flying cars.
Competition in the Industry
Xpeng is not the only company investing in robotics. For example, Chery is collaborating with AI developer Aimoga on the Mornine robot, while BYD, GAC, and Seres are investing millions in their own projects. Nio has announced the development of a robot dog.
Automation in China
According to estimates, over two million robots are already operating in Chinese factories, and this number will continue to grow as automation becomes a key element of the country’s industrial strategy.
The development of robotics in China demonstrates how technology companies combine innovations in artificial intelligence and automation to create new markets. This could lead to changes in the global economy, where robots become an integral part of everyday life and production.