- Li Auto's autonomous driving chief will become head of hardware operations, primarily overseeing robotics development.
- Li Auto's autonomous driving team will be integrated into the software team.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI, HKG: 2015) continues to restructure its team as part of its efforts to intensify its focus on robotics and AI (artificial intelligence).
The company's autonomous driving head, Lang Xianpeng, will become head of hardware operations, primarily responsible for robotics R&D, local tech media outlet Leiphone reported on Wednesday.
Lang, a senior vice president, will report to Li Auto president Ma Donghui and no longer oversee autonomous driving operations.
The report noted Li Auto has restructured its R&D system into three major teams: the foundation model team, software team, and hardware team.
The restructuring highlights the dissolution of the autonomous driving team, which will be integrated into the software team led by Gou Xiaofei, according to the report.
Gou will oversee Li Auto's intelligent cockpit and smart driving R&D, also reporting to Ma.
Zhan Kun will lead Li Auto's foundation model team, responsible for integrating VLA (Visual-Language-Action) and in-house developed chips, reporting to CTO Xie Yan.
With AI's rapid rise in recent years, companies including Li Auto are making significant bets on the field.
Li Auto founder, chairman, and CEO Li Xiang reiterated the company's AI commitment during an internal meeting on Monday, sharing his insights on AI trends.
Li emphasized that 2026 represents the final window for companies aspiring to become leading AI players, while Level 4 autonomous driving could be achieved by 2028 at the latest, according to a 21jingji report.
Li Auto will further strengthen its brand positioning as an embodied intelligence company, not merely as a creator of mobile homes, Li said.
Beyond automobiles, the company will roll out humanoid robots, which will debut as soon as possible, the Li Auto CEO said.
