Xpeng Unveils Lifelike Iron Humanoid Robot
Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) revealed its next-generation Iron humanoid robot at the 2025 AI Day event. The robot’s realistic appearance sparked widespread speculation online that a human might be concealed inside the prototype.
Public Reaction and Company Response
After the live demonstration, where the female Iron robot appeared on a catwalk, many viewers doubted its authenticity. According to Xpeng’s chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, over half of the online comments questioned whether the robot was remote-controlled or controlled by a hidden human.
“This truly leaves our robotics team both delighted and amused. Some people just can't believe how fast the world is changing,” He Xiaopeng wrote on Weibo.
In response, He Xiaopeng posted an unedited video proving that the Iron robot is fully autonomous. He highlighted features like a microphone array near the robot’s ears and internal cooling fans producing wind noise, which confirmed it was a real robot and not a disguised person.
“Tesla's robot can't walk this smoothly — there's no way this is possible,” a social media user remarked, demonstrating the high praise for Iron's advanced motion.
Iron Robot Features
- Size similar to the first-generation model shown at Xpeng’s 2024 AI Day.
- Humanoid spine and bionic muscles for realistic movement.
- Flexible synthetic skin enhancing lifelike appearance.
- 3D curved display integrated into the head.
The robot’s sophisticated design and smooth movements showcase significant advancements in humanoid robotics technology by Xpeng.
Author’s Summary
Xpeng’s Iron robot impresses with lifelike features and autonomy, challenging public skepticism and marking a leap forward in humanoid robotics design.