Chinese electric vehicle maker XPeng unveiled a remarkably lifelike humanoid robot prototype, dubbed “Iron,” at a recent tech event in Guangzhou, prompting initial skepticism from attendees who questioned its authenticity. The company was compelled to demonstrate the robot’s fully functional mechanics on stage, revealing the advanced engineering behind the project. XPeng’s foray into robotics signals a growing trend of investment in the sector, with the company aiming to deploy these robots in public-facing roles as early as 2026.
Chinese EV maker XPeng’s humanoid robot prototype sparked skepticism at a recent tech event, even prompting on-stage verification.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng unveiled its latest prototype, dubbed Iron, at the AI Day event in Guangzhou on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The humanoid robot’s remarkably lifelike movements immediately drew attention and, in some cases, disbelief from attendees.
The robot’s performance was so convincing that some observers initially suspected a deception, prompting XPeng to remove the outer covering on stage to demonstrate that Iron was, in fact, a fully functional robot and not a person in disguise. This demonstration underscored the advanced engineering behind the project.
According to company representatives, the development of Iron is based on a “Skeleton – Muscle – Skin” concept. This design incorporates an internal structure mimicking human anatomy, biometric “muscles” instead of rigid motors, and a flexible synthetic skin covering the entire body. The company is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced robotics, a sector attracting significant investment globally.
Iron features a 3D interactive curved display for a face and hands with 22 points of articulation, enabling precise object manipulation. These features highlight XPeng’s commitment to creating robots capable of complex tasks.
XPeng President He Xiaopeng stated that the company continues to refine the Iron project, aiming for even greater realism. “The next generation will have flexible bones, solid muscles, and soft skin,” he said. “We expect it to be able to have a height and proportions similar to those of human beings.”
“In the future, when you buy a robot, you will be able to choose the gender, hair length, or clothing,” the executive added. XPeng plans to deploy the first Iron models in retail stores, offices, and public spaces beginning in 2026, signaling a potential shift in service and automation industries.
Watch the presentation of Iron:
Here is the official video of the robot:
