Robotics

Xpeng’s Iron Humanoid Robot Stumbles in Shenzhen Mall Debut

• ByStartupStory     |    February 2, 2026

Xpeng’s eagerly anticipated “Iron” humanoid robot suffered an embarrassing malfunction during its first public mall demonstration in Shenzhen, collapsing mid-performance in front of crowds and highlighting the real-world challenges of bipedal robotics.

Catwalk to Collapse Exposes Hardware Limits

The hybrid prototype – featuring a 5-degree-of-freedom spine, 3D-printed fascia musculature, and human-like gait – executed choreographed walks and spectator interactions before suddenly losing posture, entering a limp state that required staff intervention. Quick-thinking handlers grabbed stable lift points to remove the unit, confirming a genuine technical failure rather than scripted drama, with a replacement robot continuing the event.

Mass Production Ambitions Face Scrutiny

Xpeng aims for full Iron integration by Q2 2026 and 1 million units by 2030, starting with retail assistants before industrial deployment. The incident underscores persistent vibration damping and balance issues in current-gen hardware, even as the company gathers critical human-robot interaction data. When catwalk charisma meets physics reality, Xpeng’s stumble proves humanoid commercialization demands more than showroom polish.

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