Race against Tesla: China’s Xpeng eyes 2027 global launch for viral Iron robot

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is accelerating its push into humanoid robotics, targeting production of more than 1,000 units per month by the end of 2026. The Guangzhou-based company confirmed to the South China Morning Post on Thursday that its manufacturing capacity will support the global rollout of its next-generation humanoid robot, named Iron, with commercial deliveries expected to begin in 2027.

Xpeng’s CEO and co-founder, He Xiaopeng, has projected that the company will sell 1 million robots by 2030. He has also pledged to drive down production costs to make the robots more accessible for household adoption.

Advanced AI model powers Iron’s movements

The Iron robot operates on Xpeng’s Vision-Language-Action 2.0 AI model. Unlike earlier systems that translate visual input into text-based code before triggering movement, the new model allows the robot’s neural network to convert visual data directly into motion. This approach improves task efficiency and reduces information loss, giving Iron a more responsive and fluid performance.

High-stakes rivalry with Tesla

Xpeng’s humanoid robot ambitions place it in direct competition with Tesla, which is also developing its own humanoid, Optimus, as part of a broader race to dominate physical AI—the integration of intelligent software into robotics and machinery. Both companies are betting on large-scale production and cost reduction to bring humanoid robots from factory floors into everyday homes.

The 2027 global launch timeline marks a key milestone in Xpeng’s strategy to challenge Tesla’s lead in the emerging market for humanoid robotics.

The source for this article is https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3360814/race-against-tesla-china-ev-maker-xpeng-launch-viral-humanoid-globally-2027.