XPENG IRON Humanoid Robot Falls During First Public Appearance in Shenzhen
The XPENG IRON humanoid robot made its first public appearance in a busy Shenzhen shopping mall. However, the debut did not go as planned. The sleek black robot suddenly lost balance and fell to the ground. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident. Staff members quickly stepped in and carried the robot away because it could not stand up on its own. XPENG CEO He Xiaopeng addressed the situation calmly on social media. He said setbacks are a natural part of innovation. In addition, he compared the moment to a child learning to walk. First they fall, then they stand, and eventually they run.
XPENG IRON’s Features and Future Plans
Despite the stumble, XPENG IRON remains an advanced humanoid robot. The robot stands 1.73 meters tall and weighs 70 kilograms. It features 82 degrees of freedom, including 22 in each hand. As a result, it can perform precise and complex movements. XPENG designed IRON to walk independently. Therefore, the company sees strong potential in service industries. Planned use cases include reception work, retail assistance, guided tours, and restaurant-style services.
Humanoid robots face many real-world challenges. For example, maintaining balance in crowded public spaces can be difficult. However, companies continue testing and improving these systems.
XPENG expects to begin mass production by the end of 2026. As a result, IRON could become part of everyday commercial environments in the coming years. Although the first public test ended with a fall, XPENG views it as a learning experience. Innovation often involves trial and error. Over time, improvements could help IRON become more stable and reliable.
