XPENG unveils next-generation humanoid robot IRON, to begin mass production by end of 2026

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At the XPENG AI Day held on November 5, XPENG unveiled its new-generation humanoid robot, IRON — a flagship development that marks XPENG's latest move beyond smart mobility and into advanced robotics. Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng announced that large-scale production of the high-end IRON robot is scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

According to He, the new-generation IRON is designed as a highly anthropomorphic humanoid robot. It features a biomimetic spine and muscle system, a fully flexible outer skin, and a 3D curved display integrated into its head. Its agile shoulders mimic human motion, while each hand boasts 22 degrees of freedom, enabling delicate, human-like dexterity.

Beyond its mechanical design, IRON is also a showcase of XPENG's in-house AI and energy innovations. It debuts with a solid-state battery that combines ultra-high energy density with exceptional lightness. Powered by three Turing AI chips delivering a total of 2,250 TOPS of computing performance, IRON integrates XPENG's physical world foundation model — a fusion of VLT (Vision Language Transformer), VLA (Vision Language Action), and VLM (Vision Language Model) capabilities. This system enables the robot to perceive, interpret, and respond to its environment in real time, supporting advanced functions such as conversational interaction, navigation, and complex physical coordination.

He emphasized that while automotive innovation revolves around "integration and invention," robotics requires "fusion and invention" — and full-stack in-house R&D is fundamental to achieving that fusion. "A robot's hardware must be driven by its software design," he explained. "Only when both are developed in tandem can the hardware fully align with the AI model it runs on. That's why only full-stack development can produce a robot that is both technologically advanced and ready for scalable mass production."

He noted that XPENG's next-generation IRON will first be deployed in commercial environments such as museums, auto showrooms, and shopping centers, where it will provide interactive services and assist in public engagement.

During the event, XPENG also announced a partnership with Baosteel to explore industrial applications for IRON. The humanoid robots will soon be deployed at Baosteel's facilities, where they will undergo real-world trials in inspection and other complex operational scenarios.

In addition, XPENG plans to open IRON's software development kit (SDK) to global developers, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for humanoid robot applications and accelerating the evolution of intelligent robotics.