Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has introduced a new humanoid robot with movements so realistic that the company took the dramatic step of cutting it open on stage during its unveiling. The demonstration was designed to prove that a human was not operating the machine from inside.
The robot, named IRON, was presented at Xpeng's AI Day in Guangzhou on November 5. It showcases significant advancements in robotics, featuring a flexible spine and artificial muscles that allow it to move with a natural, fluid gait.
Key Takeaways
- Chinese EV maker Xpeng unveiled its new humanoid robot, IRON, at its AI Day event.
- The robot's movements were so lifelike that it was cut open on stage to dispel doubts.
- IRON is powered by a custom AI architecture delivering 2,250 trillion operations per second (TOPS).
- It is the first humanoid robot to use an all-solid-state battery for enhanced safety.
- Xpeng plans to deploy IRON in commercial settings like showrooms and offices starting in 2026.
A Theatrical Demonstration for a New Era
During the presentation, company representatives addressed the audience's potential skepticism about the robot's capabilities. To prove its authenticity, they performed a live dissection of IRON, revealing the complex internal mechanics instead of a person in a suit. This unusual move highlighted the confidence Xpeng has in its new creation.
IRON's design philosophy, described as "born from within," mimics the human body's structure. It is built around an internal endoskeleton and a bionic muscle system, which enables its smooth and coordinated actions. This internal framework allows for different external body types, from slim to more robust builds, to be fitted over the core structure.
Advanced Technology and Processing Power
The robot's fluid motion is made possible by its sophisticated engineering. IRON possesses 82 degrees of freedom, allowing for a wide range of motion and gestures. This includes 22 degrees of freedom in each hand, enabling it to perform delicate and precise tasks.
At the heart of IRON is a powerful computing system. It runs on three custom AI chips that provide a combined processing power of 2,250 trillion operations per second (TOPS). According to Xpeng, this makes IRON one of the most computationally powerful humanoid robots developed to date.
Computational Power in Perspective
To put IRON's 2,250 TOPS into context, some of the latest high-end laptop processors, such as Intel's Core Ultra 200V series, achieve around 120 TOPS. This illustrates the massive computational resources dedicated to the robot's AI and motor functions.
This immense power allows the robot to interpret visual information from its surroundings and react physically without first needing to process that data into language. This direct visual-to-physical response system is a key factor in its quick and natural movements.
The Vision for Future Human-Robot Collaboration
He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, outlined the company's long-term vision for robots during the event. He explained that IRON's appearance was intentionally designed to be recognizably human, even if slightly unsettling, to foster a sense of connection.
"The next generation has very flexible bones, solid bionic muscles, and soft skin. We hope it can have a similar height and proportions to human beings," He stated. "In the future, robots will be life partners and colleagues."
The company plans to offer customization options for future models. He suggested a future where customers could choose a robot's appearance much like a car. "In the future, when you buy a robot, you can choose the sex, hair length, or clothing for your desired purpose," he added. This points to a future where robots are integrated more personally into daily life.
Safety and Practical Applications
Xpeng has also prioritized safety in IRON's design. It is the first humanoid robot in the world to be powered by an all-solid-state battery. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries use solid materials like ceramics, making them inherently safer and more stable, which is critical for a machine designed to operate near people.
What is Physical AI?
The development of IRON is part of Xpeng's larger strategy in "physical AI." This initiative aims to create a unified platform that integrates the company's work in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to create intelligent machines that can physically interact with and navigate the real world.
Despite its advanced capabilities, IRON will not be folding laundry anytime soon. Xpeng has ruled out deploying the robot in household settings for the immediate future, citing the safety risks associated with operating in unpredictable and cluttered home environments.
Instead, the company is targeting commercial applications. The first IRON models are expected to be deployed in Xpeng's own retail locations and showrooms in 2026. From there, they may expand to other commercial spaces like offices and stores, where they can perform tasks in more controlled settings.