Dongfeng says its humanoid robot, Xiaodong, is due to start factory work in October, taking on material sorting and quality-inspection tasks. The Chinese automaker plans small-batch trial production by the end of 2026 and aims for the robot’s work capabilities to match human workers by the end of 2027.
First shown publicly at the World Robot Conference in August, Xiaodong is being developed to move from repetitive actions to carrying out a wider range of tasks autonomously. Dongfeng also has a quadruped robot, Yuanzai, intended for uses including campus patrols and customer guidance at dealerships; the company expects it to enter commercial use sooner.
Dongfeng says it plans to take its robotics products into multiple sectors, drawing on capabilities developed in vehicle manufacturing and AI. The initiative adds to a broader trend among automakers, while Dongfeng is also pursuing solid-state batteries for its electric vehicles.