XPeng Starts Making IRON Humanoids as Tesla Optimus Faces Delays
XPeng says the line automates more than 80% of core processes as it moves IRON from prototypes toward mass production by the end of 2026.
- On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, XPeng's IRON humanoid robot autonomously walked off the company's new automated production line in Guangzhou, China, marking what the company claims is the first advanced general-purpose humanoid robot manufactured without human assistance.
- Utilizing automotive-grade quality systems, XPeng shares over 85% of IRON's supply chain with its electric vehicle business; the robot features 76 degrees of freedom powered by three Turing AI chips delivering 2,250 TOPS of computing power.
- Rather than building separate AI engines, XPeng deployed the same "world model" used in its electric vehicles, enabling IRON to execute tasks autonomously without remote operation, including navigating obstacles and managing battery charging.
- XPeng will initially deploy IRON in its own showrooms and campuses later in 2026 to support sales and tours, with the automaker planning external customer deliveries in China and overseas markets starting in 2027.
- While XPeng targets mass production by year-end 2026, the company faces skepticism regarding its "significantly higher" per-unit gross margin promise, as competitors including Tesla, Figure AI, and AGIBOT advance their own humanoid programs.
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Chinese electric car maker XPeng on Tuesday launched its humanoid robot production line, with the first humanoid robot leaving the line on its own. It plans to start large-scale production by the end of the year and sales in 2027.
China's XPeng Starts Production of IRON Humanoid Robot on Automated Line Ahead of 2027 Global Deliveries | 📲 LatestLY
XPeng has begun producing its IRON humanoid robot on a new automated production line, with the first unit walking off independently. More than 80% of core processes are automated, while automotive-grade quality controls are used. Mass production is planned by late 2026, followed by deployments and global deliveries in 2027. 📲 China's XPeng Starts Production of IRON Humanoid Robot on Automated Line Ahead of 2027 Global Deliveries.
The humanoid robot IRON, developed by the Chinese company Xpeng, has entered the production series. Covered with a material that mimics the skin and able to move and perform tasks autonomously, the robot could be used in the future including for household activities.
Better known for smart electric cars, Xpeng is taking a serious step towards robotics. The Chinese company has just put into operation its first production line dedicated to robots.
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