A report from Jipian Lab on Thursday indicates that Xpeng has opted for semi-solid battery technology in the production version of its Iron humanoid robot, walking back its earlier commitment to all-solid-state cells. The company has not publicly commented on the revised approach.

The switch appears to be driven by concerns over supply chain stability as Xpeng works toward mass production of Iron by the end of 2026. According to the report, a second-tier Chinese battery maker has been chosen as the lead supplier, while samples from other manufacturers are still under evaluation. That arrangement could eventually allow for a more diversified supply base, but the immediate priority is to lock in a cell that can be integrated into the robot on time.

This marks a clear departure from the roadmap Xpeng presented at its AI Day in November 2025. At that event, the company said the new Iron would rely on all-solid-state batteries to reduce weight and deliver gains in energy density and safety. CEO He Xiaopeng also suggested that humanoid robots could be among the first product categories to help all-solid-state batteries reach mass production and commercial viability. However, progress in industrializing all-solid-state technology has not kept up with Iron’s development schedule.

Jipian Lab’s reporting says Xpeng had earlier sought all-solid-state battery samples from BYD, Gotion High-tech, CALB, and Eve Energy but found no option that satisfied its requirements. All-solid-state batteries are still largely confined to laboratory validation and continue to face difficulties with cost, performance stability, and manufacturing consistency.

For Iron, the chosen semi-solid batteries are described as high-energy solid-liquid hybrid cells in pouch format, rather than the cylindrical cells more commonly used in robots. The report notes that these pouch cells can provide higher energy density and better safety, although the technology is still in an early phase of industrialization.

Xpeng maintains its target of starting mass production of Iron by late 2026, with initial deployments planned for retail stores and industrial parks. The robot is expected to go on sale in 2027, targeting retail and service-sector customers both in China and overseas.

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