XPENG has begun small-batch production of a solid-state battery for its IRON humanoid robot, according to remarks by group vice-president Gu Jie at the Society of Automotive Engineers of China’s conference on 28 October. Gu said IRON was in the final stage before the start of production, with scaled robot manufacturing targeted for the end of 2026.
Gu described a high-energy-density battery developed around the robot’s limited internal space. In Sina Tech’s account of his presentation, he claimed roughly 30% lower weight and 30% greater stored energy than conventional liquid-electrolyte lithium batteries. He also described measures to limit thermal-runaway propagation and a design intended to withstand impact and needle-penetration tests.
The component milestone follows commissioning of XPENG’s humanoid assembly line on 8 September. The company reported that more than 80% of core production processes were automated and showed an IRON completing assembly and walking off the line. Initial applications are planned in XPENG stores and campuses, followed by external market launch and deliveries in China and overseas in 2027.
The robotics programme draws on XPENG’s automotive manufacturing base. On its August earnings call, CEO He Xiaopeng said more than 85% of robotics supply-chain partners also worked with the vehicle business. That shared supplier network supports procurement and industrialisation alongside the company’s own robot components, control systems and AI development.
XPENG’s separately capitalised robotics business also entered share purchase agreements for more than $900 million in August, at an implied post-money valuation exceeding $6.3 billion. The financing programme is intended to support robot hardware and software, model training, manufacturing facilities and commercial expansion.
