Elon Musk Acknowledges Competition in Humanoid Robot Sector

In a significant acknowledgment of competition within the humanoid robot sector, Elon Musk commented on XPENG's newly unveiled humanoid robot, the IRON. He indicated that Tesla and Chinese companies will dominate the market, while suggesting that other Western firms are lagging behind, according to CleanTechnica.

This statement followed XPENG's dramatic showcase of the IRON robot, marking a pivotal moment in the global humanoid robotics race, now increasingly characterized by a competition between American and Chinese technology giants.

XPENG's CEO, He Xiaopeng, highlighted this shift, stating that their robot, which successfully showcased its walking capabilities, exemplifies the prowess of a Chinese startup. The IRON robot features a sophisticated design with a structure that mimics human anatomy and boasts 82 degrees of freedom, facilitating dynamic movement and balance.

The robot's hands are particularly advanced, featuring 22 degrees of freedom per hand, allowing for delicate tasks like gripping fragile objects. The IRON is also noted for being the world's first humanoid robot powered by an all-solid-state battery, a choice that enhances safety and energy density, crucial for real-world applications.

The unveiling event included a dramatic moment where XPENG engineers cut open the robot's leg to dispel doubts about its capabilities, demonstrating it was not controlled by a hidden operator. XPENG has adopted a design philosophy focused on extreme anthropomorphism, aiming for a robot that not only mimics human abilities but also overcomes the uncanny valley through precise biomimicry.

On the software side, the IRON is powered by a first-generation Physical-World Large Model, integrating multiple AI subsystems for advanced reasoning and interaction. This includes the VLT, a new model for robotic reasoning, enabling the IRON to perform complex tasks independently.

The robot is equipped with high processing power, matching that of high-end autonomous vehicles, allowing it to manage its articulated joints and respond to sensory input in real-time. XPENG plans to begin mass production by the end of 2026, targeting commercial deployment in controlled environments such as retail and industrial settings.

This strategy will allow the company to gather valuable operational data while minimizing risks. The report suggests that XPENG's approach, especially leveraging its automotive supply chain, gives it a significant time-to-market advantage.

As the humanoid robot market evolves, Musk's comments reflect a recognition of the emerging duopoly between Tesla and XPENG, positioning both companies at the forefront of this competitive landscape. With XPENG's aggressive strategy and Tesla's focus on functionality, the race in humanoid robotics is now a high-stakes industrial contest with a clear path to commercialization.