Home / Technology / Xpeng Unveils Eerily Lifelike Humanoid Robot, Cuts It Open to Prove It's Not Human
Xpeng Unveils Eerily Lifelike Humanoid Robot, Cuts It Open to Prove It's Not Human
10 Nov
Summary
- Xpeng's new humanoid robot, IRON, is so realistic it had to be cut open to prove it's not human
- IRON's lifelike movements are powered by advanced AI and synthetic muscles, not a hidden person
- Xpeng plans to deploy IRON robots in factories starting in 2026, but not in domestic settings
On November 10, 2025, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng revealed its latest creation: a humanoid robot dubbed the Xpeng IRON. The bot's eerily lifelike movements and appearance were so convincing that Xpeng's engineers were forced to cut it open on stage to prove there was no hidden human inside.
The reveal of IRON's sophisticated synthetic muscles and endoskeleton left the assembled crowd in awe. Xpeng says the robot's "cat-like" gait is the result of advanced AI and a hidden system of artificial muscles, flexible bones, and a synthetic spine. Powered by three custom AI chips, IRON can perform a staggering 2,250 trillion operations per second, making it one of the most advanced humanoid robots in existence.
While Xpeng's demonstration settled the debate over whether IRON was a real robot, some skeptics remained unconvinced, claiming the company had hidden an amputee with a prosthetic leg inside the suit. However, the company maintains that IRON is a fully autonomous machine, and plans to begin deploying the robots in its facilities starting in 2026.
Xpeng's chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, envisions a future where robots like IRON will be "life partners and colleagues." He says customers will eventually be able to customize their robots' appearances, choosing different body types, skin tones, and even genders. But for now, Xpeng has ruled out offering the robots for domestic use, citing safety concerns in unpredictable home environments.
