Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao·2026-01-01 02:11Core Insights - Physical AI is emerging as a new benchmark for assessing the core competitiveness of global tech companies, marking a shift from digital algorithm competition to real-world interactions [2][4] - The competition in autonomous driving, a key battleground for AI and the physical world, is characterized by a bipolar development trend led by the US and China [4][20] Industry Developments - Xiaopeng Motors' CEO He Xiaopeng plans to retest Tesla's FSD V14 in the US in December 2025, highlighting a collaborative dialogue between leading tech firms [2][3] - The second-generation VLA model from Xiaopeng is set to enter mass production, transforming industry consensus into practical momentum for change [3][20] Competitive Landscape - The competition in the physical AI sector is defined by a consensus on technology routes, with Tesla focusing on a pure vision approach and Xiaopeng developing a full-stack self-research system [4][10] - Both companies are moving away from the contentious L3 transitional phase, aiming for L4 capabilities directly, which reflects a collective understanding of the limitations of L3 [13][20] Technological Innovations - Xiaopeng's second-generation VLA model eliminates the language translation step, allowing for direct generation of driving commands from visual signals, significantly enhancing response speed and decision-making accuracy [8][10] - The model's training data volume reaches 100 million clips, equivalent to 65,000 years of human driving experience, enabling it to handle complex scenarios effectively [17][18] Market Positioning - Xiaopeng's full-stack self-research system creates a competitive barrier, allowing for rapid iterations and deployment of advanced models, with a cloud-based model supporting 72 billion parameters [8][18] - The unique challenges of Chinese road conditions have become a strategic asset for local companies, enhancing their AI capabilities and providing a rich training environment [17][20] Future Outlook - 2026 is projected to be a pivotal year for Xiaopeng, with plans to launch L4-level vehicles and Robotaxis, positioning the company as a key player in defining the next generation of AI paradigms [20] - The collaboration and competition between Tesla and Xiaopeng are expected to drive innovation and set industry standards, with both companies aiming for a fair competitive landscape in the global market [9][20]