Xpeng Iron: the humanoid robot that steps on the accelerator

Although it is not the Chinese brand with the largest presence in Europe, Xpeng is once again attracting attention for its technological commitmentIn its latest demonstration, the company showcased significant advancements in robotics, with its humanoid Iron as the main protagonist and a timeline that looks toward large-scale production.

The debut of the Iron's second generation was presented at AI Day held in Guangzhou.where the robot surprised everyone with its naturalness of movements and coordinationThe presentation was so striking that its own CEO, He Xiaopeng, had to deny on social media that there was a person inside the suit, highlighting the pace at which his robotics is evolving.

The latest from Project Iron

The new iteration of Iron introduces design changes and functional improvements designed for real-world tasks. According to Xpeng, the goal is to scale towards the mass manufacturing at the end of the development cycle, after refining the dexterity and autonomy in test environments.

On the technical side, Xpeng has detailed a combination of hardware and software which seeks to balance strength, precision, and environmental awareness. Key features include: bionic muscles, humanoid spine, flexible skin, and a curved 3D display on the head, in addition to a highly articulated body.

• VLA Cognitive Architecture: Integrated Vision, Language and Action for scene comprehension and decision making.
• Three Turing AI chips own with an announced computing power of 2.250 TOPS.
• Body highly articulated and hands with 22 degrees of freedom for precise handling.
• Solid-state battery, active security, and privacy-focused mechanisms.
• Ability to maintain fluid conversations and moving with natural movements.

What scenarios is it targeting?

The company ranks Iron first in industrial and logistics environmentswhere the Repetitiveness and stage control facilitate its deploymentThe emphasis is on transporting materials, assisting on production lines and handling components, with an eye towards expanding functions as skills and perception mature.

Robotics and autonomous mobility ecosystem

Beyond the humanoid, Xpeng presented advancements connected to its smart platformincluding Level 4 autonomous driving robotaxis and a new modular vehicle approach. The company frames these capabilities within a common computational foundation for mobility and robotics.

In this ecosystem, the firm highlighted that Volkswagen will be its first strategic partner For the second generation of the VLA system, this is a sign that its technology stack could serve as a foundation for joint projects. Xpeng also indicated that its Turing chips will be used in vehicles co-manufactured with VW in China.

Implications for Europe and Spain

Xpeng's European expansion has been gradual, but the link with Volkswagen brings potential landing and scalability synergies in the region. In the industrial sector, the interest in automation and robotics In European factories —including Spain— it opens the door to pilots and collaborations where a humanoid geared towards repetitive tasks can fit in when it meets regulations and safety requirements.

The market views humanoid robotics as a competitive front among electric vehicle manufacturers. In contrast to visions of more universal robots, Xpeng insists on a specific approach. more pragmatic and controlled For Iron: first industry, then expanding the scope of use as technology advances. This approach reduces risks and facilitates rapid iterations.

Signal to the market and investor interest

The latest demonstrations have resonated on the stock market: Xpeng shares reached maximum of three years And they've made significant progress this year, driven by expectations surrounding humanoids, robotaxis, and other related product lines. Analysts point out that the company could expand into new sectors beyond electric vehicles, broadening the market's current offerings.

Everything points to Xpeng wanting to make Iron the visible piece of its robotics strategy, with proprietary technology, strategic alliances and industrial focus as initial levers. If the scaling plan materializes and the tests validate its reliability, Europe—due to its proximity to Volkswagen and its manufacturing base—could become one of the scenarios where its true impact can be measured.