On March 5, reliable sources revealed that Li Auto is gearing up to unveil a two-wheeled robot this year, with its primary application slated for factory manufacturing. Since its inception in April 2025, Li Auto's humanoid robot R&D team, codenamed Nexus, has been diligently working on secretive research and development projects for nearly a year.
Helmed by He Junpei, a former partner at Jiuguang Intelligent Hardware, this compact team comprises fewer than 30 members and operates under the direct supervision of President Ma Donghui. Within the Feishu organizational framework, the team maintains a low profile, classified as a top-secret initiative at the company level. Consequently, other departments remain largely unaware of its progress.
At present, Li Auto has outlined plans for two distinct humanoid robot products: a two-wheeled variant and a bipedal model. Among these, the two-wheeled robot has reached a stage of readiness, with an ideal launch timeline set for mid-year.
A source privy to the details commented, "Li Auto's robot R&D strategy takes cues from Tesla, prioritizing the attainment of technological capability iteration within closed environments before venturing into the consumer market."