Chinese automakers are aggressively investing in humanoid robotics to replicate the strategy of Tesla’s Optimus program. XPeng’s robotics division recently secured over $900 million in funding at a $6.3 billion valuation. The company plans to mass-produce its IRON humanoid robot by late 2026.
BYD confirmed it is developing proprietary humanoid robots and will utilize its existing dealership network for future distribution. These companies aim to leverage expertise in artificial intelligence and large-scale manufacturing to diversify beyond the competitive electric vehicle market.
Dongfeng Motor currently employs UBTech humanoid robots on assembly lines for quality inspections. Other industry players, including Geely, Xiaomi, and Nio, are testing robots in factories or investing in specialized robotics startups.