In This Article:
XPeng Inc. XPEV, which designs, develops, manufactures and markets smart electric vehicles in China, is preparing to mass-produce flying cars and humanoid robots by next year. The company looks at humanoid robots as a long-term project and is considering significant investments of up to 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion).
Per the Securities Times, XPeng’s initial investment in this sector has been relatively conservative, given that it is still in its early stages. However, the company was prepared to allocate much larger funds. Having spent five years in humanoid robotics, XPeng anticipates remaining in the industry for the next two decades.
In November, XPEV unveiled its first humanoid robot, named Iron, marking a major step into robotics. Iron boasts more than 60 joints and 200 degrees of motion, integrating AI-driven technology from XPeng’s electric vehicles. The robot, standing at 5’8” and weighing 154 pounds, is already operational on XPeng’s production lines, assisting in the assembly of upcoming EV models.
Powered by XPeng’s proprietary Turing AI chip, a 40-core processor designed for AI-heavy applications, such as robotics, autonomous driving and flying vehicles, Iron can process AI models with 30 billion parameters. It has undergone more than 2,700 functional verifications in just 40 days, achieving a development efficiency three times the industry standard. This enables the robot to make adaptive, human-like decisions while executing tasks with precision.
Beyond manufacturing, XPeng envisions deploying Iron for various roles, including administrative support and customer service in retail, offices and homes. As China advances toward Level 3 humanoid robotics, where robots can operate autonomously in most situations but still require human oversight for complex scenarios, XPeng expects to bring entry-level Level 3 robots into moderate-scale commercial production by 2026.
XPeng’s Flying Car to Revolutionize Aerial Mobility
XPeng is also making strides in aerial mobility with its AEROHT flying car, also known as the Land Aircraft Carrier. The vehicle features a modular design, integrating a detachable air module within a ground vehicle. This allows the air module to autonomously separate for vertical takeoff and later reconnect seamlessly upon landing.
The flying car’s air module is an electric vertical take-off and landing system with redundant power, propulsion and flight control technologies for enhanced safety. It incorporates a lightweight carbon fiber frame with a dual-duct, six-rotor configuration and foldable propellers for efficient and stable flight.
Additionally, the cockpit is equipped with a 270° panoramic view, cognitive assistance for automated route planning, real-time airspace monitoring and precise landing capabilities. A single-stick control system enhances user-friendly handling.