On stage: CEO slices his company’s robot leg to prove it’s not a human

During its AI Day event last week, Chinese EV maker Xpeng unveiled its humanoid robot, named Iron.

The robot quickly drew attention, walking smoothly across the stage, but it was so impressive that many on social media suggested it might actually be a person in a costume.

Those suspicions quickly gained traction, especially considering previous demonstrations by other companies that had used fake components. However, Xpeng’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, swiftly aimed to dispel the rumors: he revealed the robot’s mechanical parts both during the live event and later through posts on social media.

On stage, Xiaopeng took a bold step to silence skeptics. In a dramatic display, Xpeng’s robotics team used scissors to cut through the robot’s soft exterior, peeling away its flexible shell and synthetic muscles to reveal the metal rods, servos, and inner framework beneath.

The demonstration made it clear that Iron is not a person in a suit, but an impressive robot.

Although it was a bold move, neither the demonstration nor the stunt demonstrates the superiority of the new robot. Experts pointed out that walking on a perfectly flat line is impressive, but not necessarily revolutionary. This is especially true since it remains unclear what real-world purpose the Iron is intended to serve as it approaches potential commercialization.

In recent months, several major technology companies have showcased their humanoid robots, including Tesla’s Optimus and 1X Technologies’ Neo. Despite the hype, true autonomous robotics still faces significant challenges. Tesla’s Optimus, for example, can barely respond to simple prompts, such as “Where can I get a Coke?” Meanwhile, the Neo relies heavily on remote control and won’t be fully independent when it launches next year.