China’s fist-bumping humanoid robot steals the auto show in Shanghai

“This full-stack self-developed robotics platform underscores XPENG’s expanding technological capabilities beyond automotive applications,” said the firm in a statement.

Last week, XPENG revealed its AI Tech Tree strategy, which integrates AI, energy solutions, and embodied intelligence to create a future ecosystem of intelligent EVs, humanoid robots, and flying vehicles.

Robot mimics humans

Standing at 5’8″ (1 and weighing 154 pounds (70 kg), Iron features a human-like structure with 1:1 proportional hands and 22 degrees of freedom, enabling precise and flexible object manipulation. Its movement is powered by end-to-end large models and reinforcement learning, allowing for smooth walking and natural gestures without the stiffness seen in traditional robots.

Iron communicates using a speech interaction system adapted from XPENG’s intelligent cockpit, offering natural conversation through reasoning and logic. It also shares AI systems with XPENG’s self-driving EVs, bridging the automotive and robotics fields.

At its core is the proprietary Turing AI chip and Tianji AIOS software, delivering 3,000 TOPS of processing power and capable of handling 30 billion parameter AI models, processing tasks three times faster than the industry average.

Iron’s “Eagle Eye” vision system and 720° AI vision provide precise spatial awareness, while XPENG’s custom robotic hands and joints ensure high dexterity. Designed for various roles, Iron is envisioned as a personal assistant across retail, office, and home environments.

XPENG steps into a competitive arena with its broad vision, joining major tech players like Tesla, whose Optimus robot similarly utilizes autonomous driving technologies. However, the company has faced criticism, with some observers pointing out resemblances between Iron’s design and other existing robotics platforms.

Smart mobility revolution

Founded in 2014, XPENG or Guangzhou Xiaopeng Automotive Technology is a Chinese AI mobility company focused on designing, developing, and manufacturing Smart EVs for tech-savvy consumers. With rapid advancements in AI, XPENG aims to become a global leader in AI mobility, driving the Smart EV revolution.

To mark one year since achieving full-stack mass production of its AI system, XPENG unveiled the XPENG World Foundation Model—its next-generation “AI Brain.” This breakthrough architecture boasts 35 times the parameter count of conventional Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, offering real-time adaptation in unfamiliar driving conditions. It supports various applications, from AI-defined vehicles to robots and flying cars.

XPENG also introduced its 5C Supercharging AI Battery, capable of delivering 420km of range in 10 minutes, launching with the new P7+ flagship sedan. Accoeding to the firm, in the MPV segment, the company’s all-electric XPENG X9 made waves with over 6,000 confirmed orders within one week, setting a new industry record.

The company also aims to make a mark through its full-stack, self-developed humanoid robot, IRON, offering highly dexterous hands, natural speech interaction, and advanced mobility. Globally, the firm claims to continue its strong momentum, with cumulative deliveries surpassing 700,000 units, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in AI-powered smart mobility.

“Through our AI Tech Tree, we’re building an integrated ecosystem where breakthrough innovations like our 5C Supercharging AI battery, Turing AI chip, and IRON robotics converge to create intelligent mobility solutions that learn, adapt, and transform transportation experiences,” said He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPENG, in a statement.