Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2026-02-01 13:31Core Viewpoint - The recent incident involving Xpeng Motors' humanoid robot IRON falling during a public demonstration has sparked widespread attention and discussion, with the company's CEO likening the fall to a child's learning to walk, emphasizing resilience and progress [1][4]. Group 1: Incident and Response - On January 31, IRON showcased its walking capabilities in Shenzhen, but during an interaction with the audience, it unexpectedly fell over after performing a smooth "catwalk" [4]. - Xpeng's CEO, He Xiaopeng, responded to the incident by drawing parallels to children learning to walk, highlighting the importance of perseverance [1]. - The incident has shifted public perception, as it dispelled previous doubts about whether the robot was operated by a human, turning criticism into motivation for the development team [4]. Group 2: Technical Development and Future Prospects - This is not the first time IRON has attracted public scrutiny; in November 2025, it faced skepticism regarding its human-like movements, prompting He Xiaopeng to demonstrate the robot's mechanical structure to prove its authenticity [5][6]. - The robot's ability to mimic human-like walking is attributed to breakthroughs in hardware design and intelligent control technology, with a focus on the core architecture of its waist and spine, and the addition of freedom in its forefoot [6]. - Currently, IRON utilizes a third-generation controller, with preliminary success in developing a fourth-generation controller, which aims to enhance its movement capabilities [7]. - The humanoid robot business is considered one of Xpeng's three core growth areas, with expectations that it could surpass the automotive sector in scale, potentially selling over 1 million units in the next decade [7]. - Xpeng aims to achieve mass production of L3-level humanoid robots for industrial applications by 2026, leveraging its advancements in autonomous driving and modeling technologies [7].