You might assume that Tesla has the humanoid robot stage to itself, but several Chinese automakers are also sprinting toward the same goal. Among them, EV startup Xpeng is taking the lead, planning to start production of its humanoid robot in late 2026 with ambitions to sell millions of them around the globe.

Over the past several years, Xpeng’s flagship robot has progressed from an autonomous dog similar to what Boston Dynamics pioneered, and has now entered its seventh generation and morphed into Iron, a humanoid robot very similar to the Tesla Bot.

Read: Xpeng Is Turning Its EVs Into Long-Distance Hybrids With Nearly 1,000 Miles Of Range

Iron runs on Xpeng’s in-house Vision-Language-Action 2.0 AI model and made its debut at a lavish launch event in China.

In a rather theatrical move, Xpeng silenced skeptics who suggested the figure on stage was a person in disguise. After clips of Iron walking in a pristine white suit spread online, rumors surfaced that it was simply a performer inside the shell.

To dispel any doubt, Xpeng brought Iron out onto the stage and proceeded to cut open the robot’s leg, revealing the mechanical components found within.

The Robot Potential

Xpeng chief executive and co-founder He Xiaopeng believes that producing humanoid robots like Iron will eventually come down to the same cost as manufacturing cars. He also sees “the market potential for robots is greater than that for cars”, revealing that the robot will be present in Xpeng stores, office parks, and factories by the end of next year.

According to JPMorgan, Xpeng’s next big leap in 2026–27 depends on how well its wider AI empire comes together, a mix of robotaxis, humanoid robots, and even flying cars. The American bank’s report predicts the robotaxi arm alone could add between US$6 billion and US$19 billion in value by 2035, while the humanoid side might deliver as much as US$24 billion by 2027, assuming all those timelines hold.

It’s not just Xpeng diving headfirst into robotics.

Who Else Is Building?

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Chery is collaborating with AI developer Aimoga on a humanoid robot called Mornine. Meanwhile, BYD, GAC, and Seres are pouring millions into robotic projects of their own, and Nio has announced plans for a robotic dog

Across China, more than two million robots are estimated to be already operate in factories, and that figure is set to keep climbing as automation becomes a cornerstone of industrial strategy.

Source: South China Morning Post

If anyone needed a reminder of just how central China has become to the global car industry, look no further than to Volkswagen’s partnership with Xpeng.

Announced last year, the collaboration centers on a next-generation electrical architecture set to support a wide range of future models, from pure EVs to traditional combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Read: VW’s Concepts Mark The Start Of 30 New Models For China’s EV Future

This joint effort is already bearing fruit. Among the first of these shared creations is an as-yet-unnamed sedan from Volkswagen that’s expected to join the ID family.

What Does It Look Like?

Recently seen testing under camouflage on Chinese roads, the upcoming electric sedan is believed to be based on the Xpeng P7, whose second generation debuted only a few months ago, while also reflecting design elements from Volkswagen’s ID. Aura and ID. Evo concepts showcased earlier this year.

Sugar Design

Digital artist Sugar Design produced a series of renderings based on those camouflaged prototypes, and there’s no denying that, compared with several Volkswagen models currently sold in Western markets, it has a distinctly sleeker and sportier presence.

At the front, it features split LED headlights and a small illuminated badge in the center, as well as a large open black grille and smooth lines. It’s nowhere near as radical as the sharp-looking second-gen P7, but for the German brand, it’s still quite a bold shift in style.

The side profile is particularly eye-catching, highlighted by its pronounced rear haunches and a smooth, flowing roofline. At the back, intricate LED taillights frame a softly illuminated VW badge, with a discreet black diffuser completing the look.

What Could Power It

Whether Volkswagen’s upcoming sedan will mirror the Xpeng P7’s specifications is still uncertain, but the P7 itself measures 197.5 inches (5,017 mm) in length and offers two battery options: a 74.9 kWh pack and a larger 92.9 kWh version.

The standard rear-wheel-drive layout produces 362 hp (270 kW) from a single motor, while the all-wheel-drive setup adds a front unit for a combined 586 hp (437 kW). The AWD variant is expected to hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 142 mph.

Range depends on configuration, from roughly 436 miles (702 km) in base form to 509 miles (820 km) for the long-range RWD model.

VW’s Chinese Plans

VW is taking the Chinese market extremely seriously. Beyond confirming that its jointly developed electrical and electronic architecture with Xpeng will underpin future EVs, the company has made clear that the same foundation will serve combustion and plug-in hybrid models.

Sugar Design

The new system won’t simply enable over-the-air updates; it’s also designed to streamline vehicle development, cutting production timelines and allowing faster adaptation to market trends.

The German brand has committed to launching more than 30 new models in China, including 20 new-energy vehicles. In addition to working with Xpeng to make these a reality, it is collaborating with partners through the FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui joint ventures.

Sugar Design