China’s Xpeng targets overseas robotaxi trials next year, wider rollout in 2 to 3 years
Xpeng is also ramping up production of its humanoid robot, Iron, with plans to put it to work in stores before offering it to external customers, vice-chairman and president Brian Gu tells CNA’s Julie Yoo in an interview.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng plans to begin testing robotaxis in a limited number of international cities next year, according to vice-chairman and president Brian Gu. Xpeng's autonomous driving technology is expected to expand beyond China within the next two to three years as commercial deployment of robotaxis increases, Gu stated during a recent interview at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore.
The specific cities targeted for the pilot testing have not been disclosed. Currently, Xpeng is conducting trials of its Yoyo robotaxi model in Guangzhou, China, with approximately 100 vehicles participating in the pilot program.
Gu highlighted significant advancements in autonomous driving capabilities in recent years, noting that Xpeng's driver-assistance systems have been utilized for around 60 percent of the distance traveled by its vehicles. However, fully autonomous robotaxis would need to meet more stringent requirements, demonstrating the ability to safely navigate complex and unpredictable situations without human intervention.
The Chinese electric vehicle market is highly competitive due to the large number of players involved, according to Gu. To succeed in this environment, companies must adopt a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only automotive manufacturing but also areas such as artificial intelligence, manufacturing, supply chain management, and global operations.
Xpeng is pursuing this strategy by diversifying into related fields like robotics and flying vehicles, positioning itself as a "physical AI" company. The company's AI models, chips, and technology can potentially be applied to a wide range of products.
Among Xpeng's upcoming projects is the production of Iron, a humanoid robot that will stand 1.73 meters tall. Designed to mimic human posture and movement, Iron will serve as a receptionist and sales assistant within Xpeng stores and offices, interacting with customers, providing product information, and handling basic tasks. Xpeng aims to begin offering Iron to external customers in the second half of 2027.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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