XPeng’s Dogotix unit is developing the IRON humanoid robot. Source: XPeng
Like other global automakers, XPeng Motors is branching into humanoid robots. The electric vehicle manufacturer today said that its Dogotix robotics unit has raised more than $900 million in its initial funding round, bringing its pre-money valuation to $5 billion and post-transaction valuation to more than $6.3 billion.
XPeng said it plans to use the investment to further develop hardware and software, collect data, train physical AI models, build mass-production facilities, and expand globally. Founded in 2016, Shenzhen, China-based Dogotix will remain a subsidiary of XPeng, with He Ziaopeng remaining CEO of both companies.
Founded in 2014, Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co. or XPeng said it aspires to become a global leader in AI mobility. The Guangzhou, China-based company develops its full-stack advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) technology and in-car operating system in-house, and most of its manufacturing takes place at facilities in China.
XPeng released its first robotaxi based on its GX platform in May, and it is still working toward profitability, said The Wall Street Journal.
XPeng plans to scale robot production
XPeng said it plans to produce 1,000 IRON humanoids monthly by the end of 2026. The dexterous robot is aimed at retail stores and industrial campuses, and the company said commercial deliveries will begin in 2027.
Dogotix has also developed quadruped and tracked robots for smart home, logistics, power inspection, and security use cases. As an early-stage company, it did report losses in 2024 and 2025.
Other automakers directly involved in humanoid development include Hyundai, which is testing Boston Dynamic‘s Atlas, and Tesla, which is preparing to produce its Optimus at scale. BMW Group has deployed Figure AI‘s Figure 03 after testing. These manufacturers see a large potential market for mass-produced complex machinery and electronics.
Editor’s note: Humanoid robotics development will be the topic of a session track at RoboBusiness 2026, which will be on Oct. 20 and 21 in Santa Clara, Calif. Companies presenting will include Agility, AgiBot, Apptronik, Core Matter Labs, ForceN, Kollmorgen, Persona AI, PSYONIC, and Synapticon. Register now to attend.
Register now and save on your pass to RoboBusiness 2026Humanoid investment continues to climb
IDG Capital led the funding round for XPeng, whose strategic investors include Alibaba and Tencent. Gaorong Ventures, which also supported autonomous vehicle developer Momenta and humanoid robot startup AgiBot, also participated, reported Reuters.
XPeng said it has set a record for a single private financing in China’s embodied AI sector. The company’s valuation is similar to that of other recent recipients of funding for humanoids:
- NEURA Robotics: Series C worth up to $1.4 billion
- Apptronik: Series A worth a total of $935 million
- Unitree Robotics: IPO worth $906 million
- Agility: SPAC deal to provide $620 million
- Humanoid: $152 million in Series A
Investors have given humanoid robotics companies more than $8.7 billion in venture capital so far this year, according to Dealroom.co. Two-thirds of that funding has gone to Chinese companies, it noted.
At the same time, it remains to be seen how and when these companies will deliver commercial value. For instance, Unitree‘s stock surged by about 460% after its initial public offering, but it has then fallen by 44% from that high.
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