China’s Xpeng Launches Robot-Making Line for Advanced Humanoids
China’s robotics industry is making headlines again. As companies continue to advance the development of humanoid robots, Xpeng has demonstrated that its next-generation IRON robots can be manufactured by robots. A video shows the IRON humanoid robot being assembled and leaving the production line under its own power, requiring no human intervention—not even for startup.
Xiaopeng He, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng, shared the video on X. “Today, we inaugurated the world’s first automated production line for advanced general-purpose humanoid robots, using robots to manufacture robots autonomously and at scale,” he wrote.
The robot stands up and walks on its own after manufacturing
In the video, the IRON humanoid robot walks from the production line toward Xiaopeng He. The robot then stops and waits for Xpeng’s top executive to place a card around its neck.
According to Xiaopeng, the IRON robot featured in the video was the company’s “first advanced general-purpose humanoid robot” to be assembled and roll off the production line autonomously. He states that Xpeng plans to expand this production line. According to the company, more than 80 percent of the line’s key processes are automated. “For me, it’s not just about a smarter tool or a commercial product. I hope it gains true generalization capabilities to take on dangerous, repetitive, or unpleasant tasks and, ultimately, improve lives,” wrote Xiaopeng He on X. “Perhaps one day, robots will become our companions, friends, or part of the family.”
According to Xpeng, the automated production line combines automotive-grade quality systems—derived from its electric vehicle division—with high-precision robotic manufacturing techniques. Xpeng announced that mass production of the robots is scheduled for the end of the year, with an initial rollout at its own stores and headquarters, while the official launch and deliveries in China and international markets are planned for 2027.
What is IRON?
IRON first attracted attention when it was unveiled at Xpeng’s “AI Day” event last November. Reportedly, the robot’s movements appeared so fluid that some suggested there might be a person inside a costume. Xpeng engineers later opened up one of its legs to demonstrate that this was not the case.
According to the company, IRON is being developed as an advanced, general-purpose humanoid robotic platform for a wide range of applications. The robot features 76 degrees of freedom across its entire body and 21 in each hand, utilizing a proprietary, flexible, closed-loop lattice structure designed to balance a human-like form with safety.
It operates using three in-house developed Turing AI chips that deliver up to 2,250 TOPS of effective computing power; according to Xpeng, this allows its physical AI foundation model to run directly on the robot, enabling it to perform complex tasks autonomously without the need for remote control.
Xpeng is one of many Chinese robot manufacturers. Last month, during the World Humanoid Robot Games, companies such as Unitree and AgiBot showcased their advancements in the field.
The Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds, surpassing the men’s world record held by the great Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.