Li Auto’s Bold Vision for AI and Humanoid Robotics

Li Xiang, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, envisions a future where cars are no longer mere vehicles but simple robotic platforms paving the way for more advanced technologies like humanoid robots. Speaking at an AI Talk event, he shared that while Li Auto plans to eventually venture into humanoid robotics, the company isn’t ready to take that step just yet. He emphasized that their current focus is on overcoming the challenges of autonomous driving, particularly achieving Level 4 (L4) autonomy, which he sees as a foundational milestone for broader advancements in robotics.

Li believes the evolution of cars will mirror humanity’s shift from the industrial age to the era of artificial intelligence, with vehicles transitioning into “space robots” that integrate AI seamlessly into everyday life. He highlighted that if autonomous driving remains unsolved, the development of more complex AI-powered robots would face even greater limitations. According to him, today’s cars, with their standardized environments and controlled systems, represent the simplest form of robots.

Positioning Li Auto as an artificial intelligence company rather than a traditional automaker, Li explained that the brand’s mission is not merely to create smart cars but to use vehicles as a conduit for embedding AI into families’ daily lives. This perspective aligns with Li Auto’s long-term vision to become a global leader in AI by 2030, as outlined in an internal letter from January 2023. In the letter, Li also described smart electric vehicles with autonomous capabilities as the “mother ecosystem” of AI, laying the groundwork for AI integration in the physical world.

In contrast to Li Auto’s measured approach to robotics, other Chinese automakers have already incorporated humanoid robots into their operations. For example, UBTech Robotics showcased its Walker S robot working on Nio’s production line, while Zeekr’s factory began using the Walker S Lite earlier this year.

During the event, Li was also asked whether Li Auto would develop robotaxis, similar to Tesla’s ongoing efforts. He dismissed the idea, citing the company’s mission of creating a “mobile home” and focusing on delivering happiness to customers rather than pursuing business models he finds unappealing. Notably, William Li, CEO of Nio, also expressed skepticism about the robotaxi business, viewing it as unexciting and unaligned with Nio’s goals.

However, Xpeng has taken a different route, investing heavily in robotaxi technology since 2022. The company’s G9 SUV gained approval for open-road testing as a robotaxi in Guangzhou, and He Xiaopeng, Xpeng’s CEO, announced plans to launch a competitive robotaxi by 2026. Although Xpeng does not intend to operate a robotaxi fleet, its ambitions underscore the varying strategies among China’s EV giants as they race toward integrating AI and robotics into the future of transportation.

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