A recent report sparked widespread discussion after alleging that a Nio executive was leading a team to develop an AI robot dog project. However, the executive, Xu Kang, denied his involvement in the project, stating that the report was false and that the team was too busy with other tasks to take on such a project.
The report claimed that Nio had assembled a team of around 20 people to research an AI robot dog project, with Xu as the head of the team. Xu, who previously worked as an algorithm expert at autonomous driving startup Momenta, joined Nio’s self-driving team a few years ago.
The report also highlighted the growing interest in AI robots within the electric vehicle (EV) industry, with companies like Tesla and Xpeng unveiling humanoid robot products. Tesla recently introduced Optimus, its first humanoid robot, while Xpeng showcased Iron, a humanoid robot that closely resembles a real person.
GAC Group also joined the race by unveiling GoMate, its third-generation embodied AI robot. Additionally, Li Xiang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, expressed a strong interest in venturing into humanoid robots in the future.
The rise of AI technology has led to increased competition in the EV industry, with companies focusing on both electrification and intelligence, particularly autonomous driving. Quadrupedal robotic dogs, like the one reportedly being researched by Nio, are considered more stable and flexible than bipedal robots, making them suitable for complex terrain.
Overall, the development of AI robots, including humanoid robots and robot dogs, is seen as the next frontier in technological innovation within the automotive industry. As companies like Nio continue to explore these advancements, the future of AI-powered products in the EV sector looks promising.
