TMTPOST -- Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng is eyeing significant long-term investments in humanoid robotics, with potential funding reaching up to 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion), according to CEO He Xiaopeng. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session, He emphasized that while the company’s current investments in the sector are conservative, Xpeng is prepared to scale up its commitment as the industry evolves. “Xpeng has been involved in the humanoid robot industry for five years and may continue in this field for another 20 years, investing an additional 50 billion yuan or even 100 billion yuan,” He said, as reported by the *Securities Times*. He did not disclose the company’s current level of investment in the sector. Xpeng, headquartered in Guangzhou, entered the humanoid robotics market in 2020 and unveiled its humanoid robot, Iron, in November 2023, positioning it as a competitor to Tesla’s Optimus (formerly known as Tesla Bot). The company is part of a growing trend among automakers venturing into humanoid robotics, a field that Chinese policymakers have identified as a priority for technological breakthroughs. The push into humanoid robotics aligns with broader industry efforts to integrate advanced automation into manufacturing and other industrial applications. For instance, Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, has established a robotics team of dozens of employees, currently in the pre-research phase. Leapmotor CEO Zhu Jiangming stated that the company’s robotic products are aimed at industrial scenarios, such as factory assemblies, where robots can replace human workers to enhance efficiency. Xpeng’s ambitious plans reflect its confidence in the long-term potential of humanoid robotics, despite the sector being in its early stages. The company’s strategy underscores its commitment to innovation and diversification beyond its core EV business, as it seeks to capitalize on emerging technologies that align with China’s national priorities.