Chinese Company Unveils Humanoid Robot So Realistic, They Cut It Open to Prove It Wasn’t Human
In a stunning demonstration of China’s rapid advancements in robotics, electric vehicle maker Xpeng Motors has unveiled a new humanoid robot named IRON, whose movements are so lifelike that company representatives sliced it open onstage to prove no person was hidden inside. The event, held at Xpeng’s AI Day in Guangzhou on November 5, 2025, left audiences in awe and sparked global interest in the future of humanoid robotics.
Unprecedented Realism and Technical Innovation
IRON is designed to mimic human movement with astonishing fluidity, thanks to a combination of custom artificial intelligence (AI) architecture and advanced hardware. The robot features 82 degrees of freedom, including 22 in each hand, allowing it to bend, pivot, and gesture at multiple points throughout its body. Its flexible, humanlike spine, articulated joints, and artificial muscles enable it to move with a model-like swagger that is almost indistinguishable from a real person.
At the heart of IRON’s capabilities are three custom AI chips, which together deliver a staggering 2,250 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of computing power. For context, this is nearly 20 times more powerful than the latest Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors found in high-end laptops. This immense processing power allows IRON to interpret visual inputs and respond physically in real time, without needing to translate what it sees into language first.
Human-Like Design and Future Applications
According to He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, the next generation of IRON will feature even more advanced bionic elements, including flexible bones, solid bionic muscles, and soft skin. The goal is to create a robot with a similar height and proportions to a human being, capable of blending seamlessly into daily life.
“We hope it can have a similar height and proportions to human beings,” said He Xiaopeng. “The next generation has very flexible bones, solid bionic muscles, and soft skin.” This attention to detail suggests a future where robots could not only serve as tools but also engage with humans in more intimate, natural ways.
Global Impact and Industry Competition
The unveiling of IRON is part of a broader trend in China’s robotics industry, where companies are pushing the boundaries of what humanoid robots can do. At the 2025 World Robot Conference, other Chinese firms showcased robots with advanced capabilities, such as the ability to swap their own batteries, walk at human-like speeds, and perform complex industrial tasks. These developments highlight China’s growing dominance in the global humanoid robotics market.
Experts note that China’s manufacturing superiority and significant investment in robotics research have positioned the country at the forefront of this technological revolution. With nearly 60% of global funding for humanoid robots now coming from Asia, the pace of innovation is accelerating, and new breakthroughs are expected in the coming years.
Implications for the Future
The introduction of IRON and similar robots raises important questions about the future of human-robot interaction. As these machines become more lifelike and capable, they could transform industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing, and even change the way people live and work. However, the increasing realism of humanoid robots also brings ethical and social challenges, including concerns about privacy, safety, and the potential for robots to replace human workers.
For now, the unveiling of IRON marks a significant milestone in the evolution of robotics, demonstrating the incredible potential of AI and bionic engineering. As companies continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, the line between human and machine is becoming increasingly blurred.