XPeng Ramps Up Robotics Unit with Nvidia Veteran, Deploys Hundreds of Robots in Factories, Report Says
A recent report has revealed that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng Inc. has made significant, under-the-radar progress in its humanoid robotics division, positioning it as a key player in China's burgeoning robotics landscape. The company has reportedly appointed a former Nvidia Corp. executive to lead the unit and has already deployed hundreds of its robots on its own production lines.
The details were disclosed in a report by the Chinese technology news outlet 36Kr. According to the article, XPeng's robotics initiative is now spearheaded by Mi Liangchuan, a former senior manager at Nvidia who once reported to the company's former global vice president, Wu Xinzhou. Mi has extensive experience in software and team management, having previously worked at Carnegie Mellon University.
XPeng's foray into robotics began around 2020 with the $100 million acquisition of a startup named Dogotix, which was initially established as a separate entity called Pengxing Intelligence . After a period of restructuring that saw the departure of the founding team, the unit was rebuilt under Mi's leadership and now comprises a team of approximately 200 employees.
The company's strategy, which CEO He Xiaopeng reportedly aligns with that of Tesla's, treats robotics as its "third growth curve" following smart driving and global expansion. The report highlights the deep synergies between XPeng's automotive and robotics businesses, stating that its upcoming fifth-generation robot shares 70% of its core technology with its vehicles. This includes leveraging XPeng's proprietary Turing AI chip, its VLA foundational model for the physical world, and components from its electric vehicle powertrain and electronic architecture.
Looking ahead, XPeng plans to unveil its fifth-generation humanoid robot on its "Tech Day" on October 24, 2025, with mass production slated for the second half of 2026. The report also revealed that several hundred humanoid robots are currently operational in XPeng's factories. While they are primarily used for algorithm tuning and data collection rather than direct manufacturing assistance, this level of deployment is considered significant among automakers and signals the company's serious intent to integrate robotics into its long-term industrial and technological roadmap.