Xpeng to Launch Three Robotaxi Models in 2026
Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, announced plans to launch three robotaxi models in 2026 alongside trial operations of the service. The announcement was made by the company's chairman and CEO, He Xiaopeng, at the 2025 AI Day event in Guangzhou, the company’s headquarters.
Advanced AI Technology in Robotaxis
These robotaxis will be equipped with four of Xpeng's proprietary Turing AI chips, providing up to 3,000 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of computing power. The models will integrate Xpeng's second-generation VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which enables adaptive driving across various global traffic conditions.
Key Features of the Robotaxis
- No vehicle modifications are needed for deployment.
- High-definition maps are not required, reducing production costs.
- Operates beyond confined zones, allowing cross-city and international deployment.
- Equipped with external interaction features for pedestrian awareness, such as signaling turns or parking actions via the windshield.
Collaborative Ecosystem Development
Xpeng plans to release a robotaxi Software Development Kit (SDK) to invite global partners to contribute and develop the robotaxi ecosystem collaboratively.
"These capabilities enable robotaxis to operate beyond confined zones, facilitating cross-city and even cross-border deployment for global implementation."
— Xpeng
Author's summary: Xpeng aims to revolutionize robotaxi services in 2026 with advanced AI chips and adaptive driving models, enabling scalable, cost-effective, and globally deployable autonomous vehicles.