Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto is restructuring its research and development organisation as it intensifies its focus on robotics and artificial intelligence, according to a report by Chinese technology outlet Leiphone.
As part of the changes, Lang Xianpeng, the company’s head of autonomous driving, will take on a new role as head of hardware operations, with primary responsibility for robotics research and development. Lang, a senior vice president, will report to Ma Donghui and will no longer oversee autonomous driving, the report said.
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Li Auto has reorganised its R&D structure into three core teams: a foundation model team, a software team and a hardware team. As part of the overhaul, the standalone autonomous driving team has been dissolved and integrated into the software organisation, which will be led by Gou Xiaofei. Gou will oversee research and development for Li Auto’s intelligent cockpit and smart driving systems and will also report to Ma.
The foundation model team will be headed by Zhan Kun, according to the report. The group will focus on integrating visual-language-action (VLA) models and Li Auto’s internally developed chips, and will report to chief technology officer Xie Yan.
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The restructuring comes as Chinese automakers and technology companies increase investment in AI amid rapid advances in large models and robotics. Li Auto founder, chairman and chief executive Li Xiang reiterated the company’s commitment to AI during an internal meeting earlier this week, local media reported.
Li told employees that 2026 would represent the final window for companies seeking to establish themselves as leading players in AI, while Level 4 autonomous driving could be achieved by 2028 at the latest, according to a report by 21jingji. He added that Li Auto would continue to strengthen its positioning as an “embodied intelligence” company, rather than solely a maker of family-oriented vehicles.
Beyond its automotive business, Li said the company plans to expand into humanoid robotics, with products expected to debut as soon as possible.
