Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2026-02-01 10:14Core Viewpoint - The recent incident involving Xpeng's humanoid robot IRON falling during a public demonstration has sparked widespread attention and discussion, with the CEO likening the fall to a child's learning to walk, emphasizing resilience and progress [1][3]. Group 1: Incident and Response - On January 31, Xpeng's VP revealed that IRON demonstrated walking in Shenzhen, but during audience interaction, it unexpectedly fell over after a smooth performance [3]. - The fall has shifted public perception, dispelling previous doubts about whether the robot was operated by a human, and has motivated the development team [3]. - This is not the first time IRON has attracted public scrutiny; in November 2025, it faced skepticism regarding its human-like movements, prompting the CEO to demonstrate its mechanical structure to counter doubts [3]. Group 2: Technical Advancements - IRON's human-like walking ability is attributed to breakthroughs in hardware design and intelligent control technology, featuring a core hardware architecture for the waist and spine, and 82 degrees of freedom in its joints [4]. - The development of a self-developed generative controller has been pivotal for upgrading its gait, with the current third-generation controller already in use and preliminary results from the fourth generation [4]. - The essence of control is described as countering gravity, with the new controller adapting to higher-level generative models, although achieving consistent movement remains challenging [4]. Group 3: Future Prospects - Xpeng's humanoid robot business is seen as a key growth area, with the CEO predicting that within ten years, it could surpass the automotive sector, aiming for sales of over 1 million units [4]. - At the 2026 annual meeting, the CEO set clear goals for the team to achieve L3-level humanoid robot mass production for industrial applications and to drive product commercialization [5]. - A significant technological breakthrough is anticipated within 12-18 months, which is expected to enhance the company's market value [5].