XPENG PX5

XPENG's PX5, unveiled at Tech Day 2023, established the foundation for the company's humanoid robotics program. Standing 1.5 meters tall and weighing 109 kg, PX5 showcased XPENG's self-developed high-performance joints and bipedal walking capabilities that would evolve into the more advanced Iron platform.

The robot features 22 degrees of freedom with ultra-lightweight humanoid arms (7 DOF per arm) and dexterous hands (11 DOF per hand). The mechanical arms achieve remarkable 0.05 mm positioning accuracy with a maximum 3 kg payload. The entire hand unit, including all control and drive components, weighs just 430 grams while providing 1 kg grip force—demonstrating XPENG's focus on lightweight, precise manipulation.

PX5's hands employ a hybrid rigid-soft drive scheme, enabling grasping and enveloping of objects with various shapes. Tactile perception at the fingertips provides sensory feedback during manipulation tasks. The robot navigates both indoor and outdoor terrains for over two hours continuously on a single charge, with shock resistance demonstrated through kick tests and traversal of grass and rocky terrain.

XPENG designed PX5 for practical applications including factory patrol, product inspection, and retail sales assistance. The robot's stability during various stress tests—including playing football and riding Xiaomi's self-balancing scooter—showcased the maturity of its balance and locomotion control algorithms derived from XPENG's autonomous driving expertise.

PX5 represented proof-of-concept for XPENG's robotics ambitions, demonstrating that the company's EV-derived technology stack could successfully transfer to bipedal robots. Lessons learned from PX5 directly informed the more advanced Iron platform, particularly regarding actuation systems, control algorithms, and AI integration. While PX5 remains a prototype, it validated the technical foundation that would enable Iron's production plans.