The power of viral attention is undeniable—especially when it translates into stock gains.
Today, XPENG-W (09868.HK) unveiled its next-generation humanoid robot, IRON, capturing widespread attention online. The buzz quickly reversed the stock's early slump, which had seen a 5% drop in Hong Kong trading. By the afternoon session, XPENG-W's shares surged nearly 6%, proving that hype can indeed drive market momentum.
IRON's debut was nothing short of astonishing. Unlike conventional robots, this "female" bot strutted with feline grace, showcasing fluid joint movements and lifelike muscle articulation—an unprecedented leap in humanoid robotics. The internet erupted with skepticism, with many questioning whether a real person was hidden beneath IRON's sleek, futuristic exterior. Even Elon Musk might feel a pang of envy—Tesla's Optimus, years in development, suddenly seems outdated by comparison.
Facing mounting speculation, XPENG CEO He Xiaopeng responded with a cryptic post: "Our robotics team is both thrilled and exasperated. Some just can’t believe how fast the world is evolving..." While he sidestepped the "real person" debate, his confidence in IRON’s breakthrough is clear. The bigger questions now: What can IRON actually do? When will it mass-produce? And how soon before it enters homes or workplaces?
He Xiaopeng revealed plans for IRON to achieve mass production by late 2026, initially targeting commercial settings like museums, car dealerships, and malls. While widespread adoption in any of these sectors would mark a milestone, the robot’s cutting-edge tech suggests prohibitively high costs for now. For average consumers, IRON remains a distant dream—but its strategic rollout is undeniably shrewd.
Beyond XPENG-W, the robot hype electrified Hong Kong’s tech sector. Companies like Ubtech Robotics, MicroPort MedBot, and RoboSense rallied, while established players like Johnson Electric and Sanhua Smart Control (fresh off its A+H listing) climbed nearly 5%. Whether IRON fulfills its promise or not, it has already reignited investor frenzy around humanoid robotics—a trend worth watching.