Chinese new energy vehicle maker, XPeng Motors, has taken a key step toward the large-scale production of advanced humanoid robots, as its first ET1 robot developed to automotive standards has been successfully completed, the company's chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, said in a social media post on Monday.
He described the milestone as a crucial breakthrough on XPeng's path toward mass-producing high-level humanoid robots later this year.
The development aligns with the company's broader roadmap that was unveiled at its annual launch event. He said that 2026 will mark a pivotal year for the commercialization of physical artificial intelligence, signaling XPeng's transition from technological exploration to real-world applications.
According to the plan, XPeng aims to deploy the second-generation VLA system in vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, launch Robotaxi operations the same year, begin the mass production of humanoid robots, and roll out its flying car into large-scale manufacturing.
XPeng's progress in humanoid robotics first drew widespread attention in November, when the company unveiled IRON, its new-generation humanoid robot. Featuring movements that closely mimic a human "catwalk-style" gait, IRON sparked online debate, with some netizens questioning whether it was a real person.
The robot also gained international attention after a post featuring IRON on X received a "like" from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who commented that "Tesla and Chinese companies will dominate the market."
