The centerpiece of Xpeng AI Day was the unveiling of the second-generation VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, built on a groundbreaking 720-billion-parameter architecture that eliminates traditional language processing bottlenecks. Unlike conventional AI systems that translate visuals into words before deciding actions, VLA 2.0 follows a direct “Vision–Implicit Token–Action” pathway, enabling rapid and intuitive responses closer to human reflexes, especially vital for autonomous driving.
At the heart of these advancements are Xpeng’s in-house Turing AI chips, delivering up to 3,000 TOPS of computing power, the highest claimed in-car AI performance globally. Each robotaxi integrates four chips, while the Iron humanoid robot uses three, offering 2,250 TOPS. This highlights Xpeng’s commitment to building its own semiconductor ecosystem rather than depending on external suppliers, strengthening its position in the competitive autonomous systems space.
The robotaxi program, announced during Xpeng AI Day, marks a major shift from the company’s stance just 18 months earlier, when leadership predicted such technology was still five years away. Co-President Brian Gu admitted the progress “is happening faster than anticipated,” with pilot operations planned for Guangzhou and other cities by 2026. The vehicles include exterior displays for real-time driving intentions, and Alibaba’s Amap has been confirmed as the first ecosystem partner.
A highlight collaboration at Xpeng AI Day was with Volkswagen, now the first automaker to integrate VLA 2.0 and Turing AI chips into its vehicles. The deal grants Volkswagen early access to next-gen autonomous systems while validating Xpeng’s tech leadership. The move also opens doors for global partnerships as VLA 2.0 becomes available to commercial partners through an open-source model.
The next-generation Iron humanoid robot, showcased at Xpeng AI Day, impressed with 22 degrees of freedom, a biomimetic spine, flexible skin, and a 3D curved head display. Standing 178 cm tall, it performed fluid, natural movements during a live demo, thanks to advanced passive mechanics and a lightweight solid-state battery.
CEO He Xiaopeng acknowledged that household adoption will take time, as low labor costs in China currently limit factory use cases. For now, Iron will serve as tour guides, office assistants, and navigators, starting within Xpeng facilities. He predicts, however, that robot sales could surpass car sales within a decade, with mass production slated for late 2026 and an open SDK available to developers worldwide.
The A868 flying car, revealed at Xpeng AI Day under the Aridge brand, marks Xpeng’s bold leap into personal air mobility. The six-seat, electric-hybrid tilt-rotor aircraft offers over 500 km range and 360 km/h speeds with vertical takeoff capabilities. Xpeng also presented its “Land Aircraft Carrier”, a modular 6×6 vehicle that transports a smaller eVTOL capable of 20–30 km range. The model has already secured 7,000+ preorders, with mass production beginning November 3.
Extending beyond vehicles and robots, Xpeng AI Day emphasized large-scale AI infrastructure. The VLA 2.0 system runs on Alibaba Cloud’s cluster with 30,000 GPUs, expected to grow to 50,000–100,000 next year. The platform supports full-chain updates every five days and advanced scenario reasoning, enhancing recognition of hand gestures, traffic signals, and pedestrians, reportedly 13 times more efficient on complex roads.
Looking ahead, Xpeng AI Day establishes Xpeng as China’s strongest rival to Tesla in AI, robotics, and mobility. Co-President Gu admitted that while Xpeng pioneered several technologies before Tesla, Tesla excelled in marketing and commercialization. Now, Xpeng aims to match that visibility through rapid scaling and deployment, reshaping the global race in autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and flying cars.
Track the global race in autonomous vehicles, humanoid robotics, and personal air mobility, visit ainewstoday.org for in-depth coverage of AI chip breakthroughs, flying car innovations, robotaxi launches, and the cutting-edge technologies transforming mobility worldwide.
