XPENG Motors (NYSE: XPEV, HKEX: 9868) has thrown down the gauntlet in the robotics race with its humanoid robot, Iron.
At its AI Day, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company unveiled a robot-ready rival Tesla’s Optimus.
This robotic debut marks XPENG’s leap from EVs and flying cars into the futuristic field of humanoid robotics.
“The robots have already been integrated into XPENG’s daily operations and focus on internal applications, such as factories and stores,” the firm said in a statement.
Can Iron deliver on its promises, or is this just another tech buzzword? Let’s dive in.
Meet Iron: Not just a pretty face
Standing 5’8” tall and weighing 154 pounds, Iron isn’t just a shiny new prototype.
It’s already hard at work on XPENG’s production lines where it’s assembling the manufacturer’s new P7+ EV.
What sets Iron apart from other humanoid robots? For starters, it has more than 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom, making it easy to mimic human flexibility.
Iron can also handle intricate tasks, from manipulating delicate car parts to walking with natural fluidity. The humanoid robot is powered by XPENG’s Turing AI chip.
That means Iron has the intellectual capacity to adapt to various tasks. While it is perfect now for manufacturing and warehouse operations, it could be a customer-facing assistant soon enough.
Xpen’s Iron versus Tesla’s Optimus
Tesla’s Optimus might have been the first humanoid robot to make headlines, but XPENG’s Iron is fast becoming a fan-favorite.
Both companies are focused on using AI-driven robotics alongside their respective EV technologies.
But while Tesla is focusing on autonomous driving, XPENG has taken a broader approach by embedding Iron into its factories.
XPENG believes Iron could even be used as a personal assistant in offices and retail spaces.
But because Iron runs on XPENG’s 40-core Turing AI chip, it’s more than just a factory worker or shop assistant.
It could even be part of our homes and daily lives one day.
READ: Will the machines steal your job, or be your new wingman?
What’s next for XPENG?
While Iron stole the show, XPENG’s AI Day also showcased the company’s other ambitions.
On the EV charging front, the Kunpeng Super Electric System promises 1 km of range per second of charging. This could surely help to ease range anxiety.
READ: EV range anxiety: The $7.5 billion plan to fix it by 2030
XPENG also updated the public on its flying car program, promising the first model’s release in 2026.
As the Chinese manufacturer ventures into robotics, we’re left wondering: Is this a glimpse into our robotic-assisted future, or just another tech race gimmick?
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About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
