Humanoid robots will be mass-produced in 2026! Morgan Stanley exclaimed: XPeng's imaginative space has opened up, and other car companies are the same

On the earnings call on May 21, XPeng announced that it would mass-produce humanoid robots in 2026. This sounds like a story of an automotive company venturing into a new field, and many people may wonder how XPeng can focus on robots when it hasn't yet become the industry leader in car manufacturing.

According to news from the Wind Trading Platform, Morgan Stanley released a research report on May 22, clearly stating that XPeng's foray into robotics is not a distraction but a natural progression. Although XPeng is not the first automotive company to develop humanoid robots, they have a hidden advantage—XPeng has laid a solid foundation in the field of AI smart vehicles.

Morgan Stanley pointed out that about 70% of XPeng's AI technology can be shared, such as the large models for autonomous driving, Turing AI chips, and algorithm simulation platforms. These technologies can be directly transferred from automotive applications to humanoid robots. This indicates that the technology and infrastructure accumulated by XPeng in the field of AI smart vehicles provide strong support for its humanoid robot project.

Data, energy, algorithms, manufacturing... the foundation of automotive companies is the infrastructure prepared for robots. In short, in this battle for humanoid robots, automotive manufacturers are naturally well-positioned candidates.

During the call, XPeng clearly proposed a three-pronged growth strategy—AI smart vehicles, global expansion, and humanoid robots. These three routes will help XPeng achieve sustainable high growth. In the words of CEO He Xiaopeng: “Our growth potential has just begun to be unleashed.”

Four Technological Resonances Allowing XPeng to Transition from Cars to "Humans"

Morgan Stanley pointed out that automotive companies have four inherent technological synergies when it comes to robotics, and XPeng possesses almost all of them, as do other automotive companies.

1. Data Advantage: The "Feeding Material" for the Robot Brain

Morgan Stanley stated that automotive companies not only have data but also a large and diverse array of real-world data, giving them a first-mover advantage in developing robots.

These data sources include autonomous driving data from vehicles on the road, smart cockpit interaction data from within the car, smart manufacturing data from factories, and even data from the aerial mobility (EVTOL) sector.

This data can be directly used to train AI large models for robots.

2. Battery Technology: Determining How Long the Robot Can Operate

For robots to move far and work long, they need powerful batteries.

Morgan Stanley believes: “For humanoid robots to operate freely away from a power source, the key is the energy density of the battery (more energy in a smaller volume). Automotive companies have been deeply engaged in electrification for nearly 20 years and are fully capable of solving this technical challenge.”

3. AI Decision-Making: Similar Decision-Making Centers for Autonomous Driving and Robots

Morgan Stanley stated that autonomous driving technology has been pushing the boundaries of machine learning and behavior prediction in recent years, and automotive companies have built large-scale simulation platforms in this process. Now, these platforms and algorithms can also be used to train humanoid robots, teaching them to "see, think, and move." IV. Manufacturing Capability: The Real Moat of Mass Production

Ultimately, robots are not models; they are products. Many laboratories can create demos, but lack mass production capabilities. Morgan Stanley stated that automakers possess mature and scalable supply chains, and this manufacturing advantage is evident