Xpeng showcases humanoid robot that blurs the line between human and machine

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng grabbed the spotlight this week with the debut of its new humanoid robot, Iron, leaving audiences both amazed and unsettled. The robot’s lifelike appearance was so convincing that Xpeng staged a dramatic reveal, cutting open Iron on stage to prove it was not a human in disguise.

Amanda Yeo, a Mashable reporter, was among the audience at Xpeng’s AI Day event and described the moment as “eerily impressive.” Footage from the event has since gone viral on social media in both the US and China, with viewers captivated by Iron’s almost human presence. The full press conference is available on Xpeng’s YouTube channel, including the robot’s internal mechanisms being exposed live.

Iron’s design immediately drew comparisons to characters from science fiction. Its slow, deliberate movements evoked the unsettling presence of Scarlett Johansson in the film Under the Skin, while its white web-like exoskeleton recalls the robots of Westworld. Some viewers were reminded of the classic scene in Terminator 2 where the human exterior is peeled back to reveal a mechanical interior.

Despite its striking appearance, Iron remains a work in progress. Humanoid robots, engineers admit, still struggle with tasks that come naturally to humans. Walking, picking up objects, and folding laundry are challenges even advanced prototypes face. Yet the allure of robots shaped like humans continues to drive innovation, reflecting a deep-rooted fascination with creating life in our own image.

Iron is not the first humanoid robot to capture attention this year. Tesla’s Optimus, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, and X1’s NEO household bot have all sparked viral moments. Experts say the appeal may lie in what psychologists call the “uncanny valley,” a mix of curiosity and discomfort when humans encounter machines that look almost human.

For Xpeng, the spectacle achieved its goal. By blending robotics, drama, and science fiction aesthetics, Iron has captured global attention, reminding audiences that the future of technology can be thrilling, unsettling, and impossible to ignore.