Dongfeng Motor plans to deploy its proprietary humanoid robots, named Xiaodong, at its automotive assembly plants starting in October 2026. These robots will perform tasks such as sorting components and conducting quality control inspections.
The company intends to begin small-batch pilot production of these humanoid units by the end of 2026. By the end of 2027, Dongfeng aims for the robots to reach a level of operational capability comparable to human workers.
In addition to humanoid robots, Dongfeng is developing quadruped robots called Yuanzai. These units are intended for secondary tasks, including patrolling company facilities, providing information to visitors, and escorting guests in showrooms.
Dongfeng is also pursuing a significant international expansion strategy. The company plans to invest $7.41 billion to promote its vehicles abroad, launch over 50 models, and establish 10 assembly plants and 5 research centers outside China.
The automaker targets an annual export volume of at least 1.5 million vehicles by the end of the decade. This push into robotics is part of a broader trend among Chinese manufacturers, including Chery, Xpeng, Li Auto, and BYD, to integrate automation into production.
