Is There a Real Person Inside the XPeng Robot? Global Netizens Debate as CEO “Opens Its Clothes” Live to Prove
XPeng Technology Day: IRON Humanoid Robot Unveiled
Yesterday, XPeng made a major announcement during its Technology Day — unveiling the next-generation humanoid robot IRON.
IRON strutted onto the stage, sparking immediate curiosity: Is there a real person inside this thing?
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The Viral Controversy
Global Reactions
On Reddit, overseas users speculated enthusiastically:
> “This is just a disguised human, you can’t convince me otherwise!”
> “There might be someone inside that suit.”
Chinese Internet Buzz
In China, IRON shot up trending lists. Even APPOSO Daily readers commented:
> “Is this a tokusatsu-style suit actor?”
> “Looks exactly like a human walking.”
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XPeng CEO Debunks the Rumor
By midday, XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng personally addressed the speculation. He shared a continuous-shot video opening up IRON on stage.
In the clip:
- He inspects IRON in detail
- The robot walks while the hum of its cooling fans is audible
He’s expression: suppressing a smile yet keeping a straight face to prove the point.
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Additional Proof
- Fred Lambert, tech blogger, visited XPeng HQ and confirmed IRON moved autonomously without remote control or “teleportation”.
- Wutong Tingyu, a Chinese user, posted IRON’s catwalk-style gait video to counter the claims.
Conclusion: IRON’s realistic bionic design is so lifelike that it fooled audiences.
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IRON's Actual Capabilities
Hardware Highlights
- 82 degrees of freedom — above industry averages
- Fully enclosed soft skin for realism
Comparison: Clone Robotics’ Protoclone V1 features 200+ degrees of freedom, 1000+ muscle fibers, 500 sensors, and a hydraulic/pneumatic muscle simulation system — plus water-based “bionic sweating” cooling.
IRON opts for fan cooling — cost-effective and practical for mass production.
Related Products
- Clone’s Alpha model: home-use robot with 16 pre-installed skills (pouring drinks, cleaning floors, etc.)
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Mechanical Hands — The Core Element
IRON’s dexterous bionic hands stand out:
- 22 degrees of freedom per hand
- Smallest harmonic reducer joints in the industry
- 1:1 human palm size
Capabilities:
- Grasp eggs gently
- Twist bottle caps
- Operate precision tools
- Perform household chores
Body Design Highlights:
- Bionic spine: bends naturally to pick objects
- Flexible tactile skin with sensors
- 3D curved screen head: displays facial expressions
Customization: Users can select different body types and genders — chubby, slim, or custom designs.
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Intelligence & Power
- Three Turing AI chips, totaling 2250 TOPS computing power — among the highest in humanoid robots.
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AI, Ecosystem, and Innovation Platforms
Platforms like AiToEarn官网 enable:
- AI-powered content generation
- Cross-platform publishing (Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, X)
- Analytics and model rankings
Documentation: AiToEarn文档
IRON’s AI Framework
First use of XPeng’s VLT + VLA + VLM combination for advanced conversation, movement, and interaction.
Battery Innovation
- First all-solid-state battery application in the industry
- Chosen for robots first — prioritizing safety
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Commercialization Timeline
Mass production target: End of 2026
Initial Focus:
- Commercial scenarios — guiding tours, selling products, welcoming guests
- Not factories/home use initially due to:
- Hand wear-out issues in factories
- Complex safety requirements at home
Possible Near-term Example: IRON introducing new cars in XPeng showrooms.
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Future Development
Plans
- SDK release for global developers
- Introduction of a “Fourth Law” for data security
PR Outcome
The “costume person” rumor unexpectedly boosted global discussion — more effective than advertising.
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A Familiar Scene, Evolving Reality
Tesla AI Day 2021: Elon Musk presented a human in a robot suit — widely ridiculed.
Now: A real robot mistaken for a human.
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Ecosystem Alignment
With AI robotics entering commerce, collaborative platforms matter more than ever. XPeng’s SDK aligns with trends seen in:
These enable rapid AI innovation and scaling across industries.
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Summary: XPeng’s IRON combines high bionic realism, advanced AI, and customizable design, aiming for commercial deployment by 2026. The public's disbelief is less a flaw than proof the robot convincingly mimics human motion — signaling a major leap forward in humanoid robotics.
