- Xpeng's robotaxis equipped with VLA 2.0 software have passed closed-venue testing and are set to begin public road tests.
- Xpeng plans to launch three robotaxi models in 2026.
Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) is set to commence public road tests of its robotaxis equipped with VLA 2.0 software, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker's chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said Thursday.
These robotaxis have passed closed-venue testing by third-party agencies, Mr. He said at a product launch event in Guangzhou.
VLA stands for Vision-Language-Action. VLA 2.0 is a large-scale physical model enabling entry-level Level 4 capabilities, the company said.
It understands the physical world like humans do, representing a superior solution for achieving full-scenario Level 4 autonomous driving, Xpeng said.
Xpeng VLA 2.0 supports front-load mass production and can operate unrestricted across regions, covering small roads and campuses, according to the company.
The EV maker announced at an event on November 5 that it would launch 3 robotaxi models in 2026. These vehicles would feature four Turing AI chips developed in-house by Xpeng, delivering computing power up to 3,000 TOPS.
These models will integrate Xpeng's VLA 2.0 system, enabling adaptive adjustment to global traffic patterns. The vehicles require no modifications, do not rely on high-definition maps, and offer low-cost mass production, Xpeng said at the time.
The company announced at today's event that its conventional vehicles will begin receiving VLA 2.0 software updates starting in March, delivering near-Level 4 smart driving capabilities.
Mr. He said that 2026 will mark the true dawn of fully autonomous driving in both China and the United States.
