Folks, who understands this! Last night (November 6), the launch event for the Xiaopeng X9 was simply a large-scale “social death” scene!
It’s not that the car is bad, but that robot called IRON was “played to death” by netizens! Various soul-searching questions arose: “Is there a real person hidden inside?” “Is this a model?” “Are the engineers slacking off?”
Unexpectedly, Xiaopeng really went for it this time! At the launch event, they directly cut open IRON’s pant leg to show everyone the “real” internal structure. Was this a hardcore move, or were they forced into it? Today, let’s have a good chat about it!
Act One: IRON Faces “Soul-Searching Questions” – How Creative Are Netizens?
The IRON robot, which was supposed to shine at the launch event, ended up getting slapped in the face by reality. As soon as the event ended, netizens switched to “Conan mode,” with various analyses and jokes flooding in.
“This robot has such thin legs, won’t it sprain an ankle while walking?” “Are those gears and wires for real? Isn’t this just LEGO?” “Xiaopeng, you know how to save money; the internal structure is less complex than my phone.”
The most outrageous comparison came when a netizen compared IRON to Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot. Goodness, one is a high-end player, while the other is an amateur; the gap is obvious. This plunged Xiaopeng into a trust crisis.
Act Two: Xiaopeng’s “Social Death” Scene – A Live “Pants Removal” Drama
Faced with doubts from the entire internet, Xiaopeng did not play dead or shift blame. On the evening of November 6, they directly responded to the question of whether the robot contained a real person at the super range extender technology launch event.
Even more explosive, they cut open the leg covering of IRON on site!
The scene at that moment was simply incredible! A large robot was held by several engineers with scissors, “snip snip” a few times, and the plastic shell on its leg was cut open, revealing the actual mechanical structure, wires, and control board inside.
This move was a textbook-level “breaking the circle” public relations strategy. They directly upgraded from “verbal clarification” to “fact demonstration,” giving all doubters a resounding slap in the face in the most straightforward way.
Act Three: In-Depth Analysis: The Threefold Significance Behind Xiaopeng’s Move
Xiaopeng’s actions, on the surface, seem like a hardcore rebuttal, but they are actually well thought out. There are at least three layers of significance behind it.
1. “Hardcore Self-Proof” Amid Trust Crisis
In the era of smart cars, trust is the biggest moat. Once users begin to doubt your product, especially in the high-concept, high-expectation field of “robots,” the consequences can be dire. Xiaopeng’s “pants removal” is a direct declaration to the market at a critical moment: “We are not playing concepts; we are serious!” This is a desperate counterattack on brand trust.
2. “Clarifying the Technical Route”
The exposure of IRON’s internal structure also reveals Xiaopeng’s technical route. Unlike some competitors who pursue extreme realism, they are more inclined towards “lightweight and modular” designs. The simple and crude mechanical structure, while perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing or dynamic as Boston Dynamics, has significant advantages in cost control, mass production feasibility, and maintenance convenience. This is actually a very pragmatic choice, avoiding excessive investment in a field that is difficult to break through in the short term.
3. “Breaking the Circle to Shape Brand Image”
A brand that dares to “expose its own shortcomings” at a launch event will instantly win the goodwill of many. It is no longer the “idealist” that only talks about dreams, but a capable, confident pragmatist willing to “meet users honestly.” This transformation in image is a huge plus for future product sales and brand building.
Conclusion: This Move Secured It!
The launch event for the Xiaopeng X9 was undoubtedly a textbook case of crisis public relations. From being questioned to live “pants removal,” and then to a clear demonstration of the technical route, every step was executed beautifully.
It tells us that in the field of robotics, having dreams and PowerPoint presentations is not enough; what is needed is hardcore technical strength and an honest communication attitude. Xiaopeng’s actions not only resolved the crisis but also successfully shaped a more attractive brand image.
So, IRON this time, is really not wronged!