Iron

Soft Robotics Podcast host Marwa ElDiwiny and engineer Scott Walter dissect the rotary-vs-linear actuator debate shaping today’s humanoid robots—explaining why most builders favor compact rotary joints while others bet on planetary-roller-screw cylinders.

Xpeng provided an update on its 'Iron' humanoid robot at its Global Brand Night, emphasizing the goal of full autonomy over remote control. The company views robotics as harder than auto manufacturing, requiring L3 autonomy for mass production, targeted for 2026 after factory pilots. Iron features 62 DoF, a Turing AI chip, and is designed for complex tasks, including potentially working alongside humans in factories.