Summary:
Le 5 novembre 2025, la société chinoise de voitures électriques Xpeng a annoncé des plans pour commencer à tester des robotaxis à Guangzhou et dans d’autres villes de Chine l’année prochaine et a présenté son dernier robot humanoïde, avec une production de masse prévue pour la fin de 2026. L’objectif est de positionner Xpeng en tant que leader technologique au-delà des véhicules électriques en s’étendant à la mobilité autonome et à la robotique. Les points clés incluent le lancement par Xpeng de trois modèles de robotaxi utilisant des puces d’IA Turing propriétaires avec une puissance de calcul de pointe, un partenariat avec AutoNavi d’Alibaba pour l’intégration des services de transport, et l’introduction du robot humanoïde de deuxième génération Iron personnalisable, qui sera initialement déployé pour des tâches non domestiques telles que la conduite de visites et l’assistance à la vente.
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Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng has announced significant advancements in its technological capabilities, including plans to launch testing for robotaxis in Guangzhou and other Chinese cities in 2026, as well as unveiling its second-generation humanoid robot—the Iron robot—with mass production targeted for the end of the same year. This marks a strategic push to position itself as more than just an electric car company, aligning its vision with that of Tesla, a competitor that has similarly broadened its technological portfolio.
From a legal standpoint, Xpeng’s ambitions for robotaxis are a notable step forward given the complex regulatory frameworks surrounding autonomous vehicles globally. In China, autonomous driving is regulated under multiple legal provisions including the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and various regional policies governing the testing and deployment of driverless vehicles. While Xpeng envisions its robotaxi programs as “a global phenomenon,” Co-President Brian Gu acknowledges the significant hurdles posed by regulations, particularly regarding operational safety, liability in accidents, and ethical considerations tied to autonomous decision-making systems. Global markets such as Europe and North America also come with their own distinct requirements, from GDPR compliance to stringent vehicular safety standards.
Ethically, Xpeng’s foray into robotaxis and humanoid robots highlights questions about workforce displacement and data privacy. The use of advanced AI, including its self-developed “Turing” chips boasting computing power of 3,000 TOPS, raises concerns about the extent of surveillance and the handling of personal data collected by driverless vehicles. The commitment to utilizing humanoid robots as tour guides, sales assistants, and office building guides instead of deploying them in factories due to low labor costs reveals an interesting juxtaposition of ethical considerations—prioritizing human employment in certain areas while potentially automated roles elsewhere.
From an industry perspective, Xpeng’s announcement signifies an intensifying race among automotive manufacturers to integrate diverse AI-driven technologies into their offerings. The collaboration with Alibaba’s AutoNavi on digital mapping and ride-hailing further illustrates the industry-wide trend of cross-sector partnerships to accelerate autonomous vehicle innovation. With major players like Pony.ai, WeRide, Baidu, and Tesla already operating robotaxi services, Xpeng must navigate fierce competition while simultaneously tackling challenges such as scalability and consumer trust in autonomous driving technologies. The addition of humanoid robots to its portfolio is another venture emblematic of the broader trend among EV manufacturers diversifying into AI-related solutions to future-proof their business models.
Concrete examples of Xpeng’s advancements include the external display on robotaxi sun visors, which actively communicates speed and operational status to pedestrians and passengers, and the vehicle’s integration with AutoNavi’s digital mapping system for interactive ride-hailing services. Similarly, the customizable features of the Iron robot, from body shape to hairstyle, provide a glimpse into the company’s focus on both function and consumer personalization in robotics.
In conclusion, Xpeng’s strategic pivot towards robotaxis and humanoid robots underscores its ambition to cater to the broader technological ecosystem beyond conventional EV manufacturing. While promising, these initiatives will require navigating intricate legal structures, addressing ethical dilemmas, and contending with significant competition to achieve scalable success and global market penetration. By leveraging the increased capabilities of its proprietary AI chips and expanding partnerships with key industry players like Alibaba, Xpeng aims to position itself as an innovation leader in autonomous driving and robotics, with implications for the future of transportation, labor roles, and AI applications worldwide.