Xpeng AI Day: new AI mannequin powering robots, robotaxis, and flying automobiles

Right this moment, Xpeng held its AI Day 2025 at its new headquarters in Guangzhou. The automaker is positioning itself as an AI firm with what it calls new “AI-defined functions” powered by the brand new Xpeng VLA 2.0 vision-centered mannequin.

This mannequin goes to energy the autonomous options in Xpeng’s present EV lineup, the self-driving system in its newly introduced robotaxis, humanoid robots, and “flying automobiles.”

On the occasion, CEO Xiaopeng He targeted so much on what he calls “Bodily AI”, which he describes because the merging of AI into bodily merchandise, aka robots.

That is much like how Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been describing Tesla’s automobiles as “robots on wheels,” and it’s now additionally engaged on humanoid robots.

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Xiaopeng has by no means hidden that he has drawn loads of inspiration from Tesla. He even admitted having began Xpeng after Tesla “opened up” its patents.

Very like Tesla’s transition to an “AI and robotics firm”, Xpeng has undertaken the same transition in recent times, and it’s now culminating in these new merchandise introduced immediately.

New Xpeng AI Mannequin

Xpeng’s new VLA working system, Xpeng VLA 2.0, is the premise of all different merchandise introduced immediately.

Not like conventional “Imaginative and prescient-Language-Motion” architectures that translate visible inputs into language earlier than producing actions, the brand new VLA makes use of a direct “Imaginative and prescient–Implicit Token–Motion” path — eradicating the language bottleneck completely. The result’s an AI that may interpret and reply to bodily actuality quicker and extra intuitively, nearly like human reflexes.

To run such a large mannequin on manufacturing automobiles, Xpeng reengineered its stack for its Turing AI chips, attaining real-time efficiency with 2,250 TOPS of compute on its automobiles with its “Extremely” degree of driver help — an order of magnitude extra advanced than typical automotive AI fashions.

Extremely is Xpeng’s prime degree of ADAS in client automobiles, however the firm additionally introduced a brand new degree immediately: Robo:

Autonomous Driving and Robotaxi

Robo goes to be for robotaxis. Xpeng introduced that it’s going to launch 3 new purpose-built electrical automobiles for robotaxi companies subsequent yr.

There can be a 5-seater, a 6-seater, and a 7-seater. I’ve seen the prototypes driving round Xpeng’s headquarters, however for now, these are the one photos that Xpeng is sharing:

These automobiles will characteristic 4 Turing AI chips delivering 3,000 TOPS and twin {hardware} for redundancy.

Like its autonomous driving programs for client automobiles, Xpeng is betting on a vision-only strategy powered by its new VLA mannequin.

Trial operation is anticipated to begin in 2026.

Xpeng is anticipating to work with companions to deploy its robotaxi, with the primary one already introduced: map and navigation firm Amap.

Relating to ADAS programs in its client automobiles, Xpeng sees its new VLA mannequin broaden capabilities fairly a bit. They demoed their newest model of NGP (Navigation Guided Pilot), which is principally its Tesla FSD competitor.

I did a check experience on the newest software program and was impressed. It seems to be the equal of Tesla’s FSD v14 with parking to parking capability.

For each its robotaxis and NGP software program, Xpeng has talked about “open sourcing” the programs. Though “open” and “open supply” had been used alternatively, it sounded extra like they plan to license their know-how to different corporations.

Volkswagen has been introduced as the primary automaker to make use of Xpeng’s new VLA-backed autonomous driving system.

Xpeng Humanoid IRON Robotic

That is one other space the place you may assume Xpeng is following Tesla, nevertheless it’s the opposite method round on this case.

Xpeng has been engaged on robots for 7 years. First, it began with quadruped robots and progressively advanced into a number of generations of humanoid robots.

Brian Gu, Xpeng’s vice chairman, famous that he believes the corporate started its humanoid effort forward of Tesla.

The earlier era of its IRON robotic has been round for some time, and it even gave us a tour of its HQ in Guangzhou immediately:

Right this moment, Xpeng unveiled the newest era of its IRON humanoid robotic. A extra superior model with new humanoid bones, bionic muscular tissues, and “full-coverage delicate pores and skin.”

The earlier model was already spectacular with comparatively clean strolling that we had been informed was not pre-programmed nor tele-operated.

However the brand new era already options a lot smoother strolling and a extra production-ready look.

Powered by three Turing AI chips (2,250 TOPS) and mixing VLT + VLA + VLM cognitive fashions, IRON can see, transfer, and work together in actual time — successfully performing duties that require bodily dexterity and dialog concurrently.

It additionally options extra dexterous arms with 22 further levels of freedom.

The brand new model of the IRON makes use of an all-solid-state battery, although they didn’t launch any specs on capability or autonomy.

Relating to commercialization, Xpeng is being far more conservative than opponents like Tesla and 1X, who’re each predicting mass manufacturing and commercialization in 2026.

Xpeng additionally goals to begin mass manufacturing subsequent yr, nevertheless it solely plans to make use of the robots in its personal business operations, primarily as guides, receptionists, and even salespeople at its areas.

Xiaopeng mentioned the corporate tried to function IRON in its personal manufacturing operations for a yr, doing what it believed was the best human process to switch: tightening screws with a drill on the meeting line.

Nevertheless, Xpeng concluded that it wouldn’t be environment friendly at scale as a result of robotic not performing in addition to staff, particularly on a value foundation, because of excessive restore and substitute prices.

Humanoid robots are far more advanced and presently not as sturdy and environment friendly as industrial robots, which may result in excessive restore prices.

Xiaopeng believes that humanoid robots will at some point be broadly utilized in manufacturing operations and in houses for family chores, however he thinks that is additional down the highway than the competitors predicts.

He was reluctant to provide a transparent timeline, however when pressed, he mentioned possible 3-5 years for industrial functions and 5-10 years to be secure and helpful in houses at scale.

Xpeng says it’s going to guarantee its robots observe the three legal guidelines of robotics and add a fourth regulation to make sure in addition they respect human privateness.

Subsequent yr, you need to count on to see IRON in Xpeng shops the world over.

Xpeng is launching an IRON SDK for builders to assist develop extra functions. Baosteel, a large metal manufacturing firm based mostly in China, can be an early associate.

Xpeng’s ‘Flying Vehicles’

Lastly, the newest “clever AI-powered” product that Xpeng highlighted at its AI Day is its newest lineup of “flying automobiles” underneath its ARIDGE model.

To be truthful, “flying automotive” is a time period used loosely.

Because the CEO identified himself, they’re extra precisely described as low-altitude eVTOL (electrical vertical takeoff and touchdown) plane.

The principle new plane unveiled is the A868, an electric-hybrid, full-tilt rotorcraft. I noticed the primary prototype at Xpeng’s HQ immediately:

The A868 makes use of an aerospace-grade hybrid system based mostly on Xpeng’s “Kunpeng Tremendous Vary” platform, promising 500 km of vary, 360 km/h prime velocity, and a six-seat structure focusing on enterprise journey.

It’s presently getting into its flight check section, in response to Xiaopeng.

Nearer to manufacturing is Xpeng’s ‘Land Plane Provider’ – a modular electric-hybrid 6×6 car that carries a small eVTOL.

The plane is way smaller than the A868 because it actually matches inside a van, and it additionally has a a lot shorter vary of 20 to 30 km. It’s reportedly outfitted with full security redundancy and 6 twin duct propellers.

The Xpeng Land Plane Provider is getting into pre-production, with over 7,000 international preorders and the primary mass-production unit already off the road as of November 3.

The corporate’s ARIDGE execs are required to build up a minimal of 5,000 km of flight within the plane – a coverage seemingly meant to create confidence within the product.

Xiaopeng additionally says that he’ll personally fly within the first manufacturing unit.

Whereas people should buy the Land Plane Provider with the manned drone, the corporate can also be presently deploying “flying camps” throughout China to supply “tourism excursions” with the electrical plane. The primary of such camp is in Dunjuang. Xpeng is aiming for 200 flying camps by the tip of 2026.

Electrek’s Take

There are loads of merchandise that Xpeng unveiled that made me increase an eyebrow, particularly with the “flying automotive” stuff, however I’ve to provide credit score the place credit score is due. There’s some actual and spectacular know-how at this firm.

The comparisons with Tesla are apparent, however no less than, Xpeng is being far more reasonable about timelines and capabilities and never promoting you on merchandise that don’t exist but.

For instance, Xpeng is investing closely in humanoid robots, nevertheless it doesn’t see near-term commercialization eventualities for residence or manufacturing unit robots.

Nonetheless, it’s designing the robotic for mass manufacturing, and it goals to achieve that objective by the tip of 2026.

The objective is that by then, AI capabilities will enhance sufficient to make IRON helpful in functions past the tour-guide/salesman functions it’s first aiming for. The SDK ought to assist with that.

However Xiaopeng shouldn’t be on the market claiming that it’s a “multi-trillion-dollar alternative” and that it’s going to begin producing tens of millions of robots inside the subsequent 2 years.

He did say that he believes humanoid robots are a giant alternative that AI is enabling by way of new “real-world bodily fashions”, however there’s nonetheless loads of work to be completed.

Throughout a press convention that adopted the AI Day presentation, Xiaopeng and Gu had been repeatedly ask to distinguish Xpeng and Tesla.

They admitted there are lots of similarities between the 2 corporations, however famous that Xpeng is extra open than Tesla, partly out of necessity given its smaller scale.

When requested particularly about why Xpeng’s valuation was a lot decrease than Tesla even when adjusted for scale, Dr Gu was not shy about pointing that Tesla’s valuation was based mostly on probably untimely commercialization bulletins whereas Xpeng prefers to attend till it has the know-how earlier than saying commercialization.

The “flying automobiles” could be the exception, however I believe that’s truthful for the remainder. Xpeng shouldn’t be precisely saying the commercialization of its humanoid robots past use in its personal shops, and based mostly on the demonstration we noticed from a previous-generation IRON, it seems very believable.

Not like demonstrations from opponents reminiscent of Tesla’s Optimus and 1X’s Neo, Xpeng claimed that its IRON tour information demo was not pre-programmed (past the product speeches) and was not tele-operated.

The IRON was navigating the showroom in actual time utilizing the identical neural networks as its automobiles.

Talking of its automobiles, its NGP system, a Tesla FSD competitor, is obtainable customary and is clearly marketed as a degree 2 driver help system that requires driver consideration always.

Xpeng additionally has a sophisticated driver monitoring system to stop driver abuse, which has been an issue with Tesla’s FSD and Autopilot – resulting in the automaker presently being flooded with wrongful loss of life lawsuits concerning crashes involving its programs.

In distinction with Tesla, Xpeng is extra conservative, not promising or prematurely promoting further capabilities to homeowners earlier than they’re prepared.

That mentioned, Xpeng clearly has ambitions to achieve degree 4 autonomous driving in client automobiles, and it seems like it’s neck-in-neck with Tesla FSD in efficiency proper now. No less than in China.

And in contrast to Tesla, which has been making an attempt to license its FSD know-how to different automakers for years, Xpeng already has a taker in VW.