PORTALBERITA.CO.ID - Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has announced a significant leadership shift within its burgeoning robotics division this Wednesday. Xpeng Chief Executive Officer He Xiaopeng has assumed direct, personal leadership of the company’s ambitious humanoid robot development program.
This move signals the critical importance Xpeng places on its robotics venture as it solidifies its position as a major competitor in the automotive industry’s race for humanoid technology. The company is now aggressively targeting the mass production of these sophisticated machines by the conclusion of 2026.
The timeline for deployment is aggressive, with initial trial usage slated for Xpeng’s own retail stores in the near future. Following these pilots, commercial deliveries are scheduled to commence for customers both within China and internationally starting in 2027.
The executive’s decision to take the helm stems from the rapidly escalating competition within the sector. As reported by Businesstimes, He Xiaopeng emphasized the need for heightened executive focus to secure market advantage.
"The (robot) industry is becoming increasingly hot and competitive, and we have clearly seen the direction and timing of victory, but it still requires more arduous implementation and extremely high decision-making ability," said He Xiaopeng.
This executive integration into the specialized division coincides with key developmental milestones for the humanlike machines, which were first showcased to the public sometime last year. The structural realignment ensures top-tier decision-making capability is applied directly to the project’s implementation phase.
The leadership change also follows recent internal organizational adjustments within the robotics development team structure. This internal restructuring suggests a drive for greater efficiency and accountability leading up to the crucial production deadlines.
Furthermore, Xpeng confirmed on Wednesday that Shi Xiaoxin has stepped down from his role as senior director of robotics product planning. This departure follows recent market speculation regarding the executive’s exit from the Iron robot project earlier this month.
