- Li Auto announced in an internal memo that it has decided to add space robotics and wearable robotics departments, according to a local media report.
- The move may be related to Li Auto's AI strategy.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) has reportedly established two robotics business teams to up its bet on AI (artificial intelligence).
The Chinese automaker recently announced in an internal memo its decision to add space robotics and wearable robotics departments to its product division, according to a report by local media outlet LatePost today.
The head of the space robotics department is Shuai Yifan, who previously served as Li Auto's product planning director and senior product director.
The head of the wearable robotics department is Zhang Wenbo, who previously served as Li Auto's software product manager.
Shuai and Zhang both report directly to Fan Haoyu, Li Auto's senior vice president and head of the product department, according to the report.
Li Auto has not explained why these two new departments were established, but the move may be related to its AI strategy, LatePost noted.
Cars would evolve from transportation tools of the industrial age into space robots of the AI age, Li Auto founder, chairman, and CEO Li Xiang said in an interview last year.
Regarding wearable devices, Li Auto management discussed the necessity and feasibility of developing its own smart glasses at a strategic meeting last fall, according to LatePost.
Smart glasses could become the next generation of consumer hardware after smartphones, the report cited multiple sources from the smart glasses industry and investment sector.
Li Auto is one of the financially strongest companies among China's new automotive startups, providing it with the resources to invest in more areas.
The company reported a net profit of RMB 646.6 million ($89.9 million) in the first quarter, up 9.4 percent year-on-year, though down 81.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2024, according to its unaudited financial report released on May 29.
As of March 31, Li Auto's cash position stood at RMB 110.7 billion.
($1 = RMB 7.1889)
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