XPeng Accused of Misleading Robot Capabilities
Similar to how Elon Musk's robots were once mocked as "human cosplay," XPeng's humanoid robots have recently faced skepticism in China. To address doubts, XPeng had to demonstrate and "dissect" one of their robots live to clarify its functions.
Public Skepticism Around XPeng's Robot NEO
The first household robot from XPeng, named NEO, has started pre-sales with a $200 deposit. However, users like Linlin (a pseudonym) discovered through social media that NEO requires manual remote control for certain tasks. While it can perform basic household chores, it relies on headquarters staff for situations it cannot handle, who then operate it remotely via camera feed.
"After realizing that she might spend $20,000 on a 'puppet robot,' Linlin took it easy: 'Anyway, there is a user data privacy agreement, and there are cameras everywhere these days. Technological progress always needs user support. I'll just support it.'
Challenges and Market Reactions
New technologies like household humanoid robots demand a high level of user tolerance as they develop. This mirrors how Tesla's technology has been received, despite its own setbacks. For example, Tesla has delayed mass production of its Optimus robot for the third time recently.
Despite these delays, Tesla's stock price remained resilient, and its market value surpassed $1.5 trillion.
Summary
XPeng's humanoid robots face skepticism over their practical autonomy, requiring remote human operation, yet users continue to support the evolving technology amid delays, similar to Tesla's experience with robot development.
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