Xpeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng is doubling down on his vision to transform the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant into a “physical AI” powerhouse, taking the reins of the firm’s robotics arm just months before its humanoids are set for mass production.

In an internal memo sent on Wednesday and seen by the South China Morning Post, He said he would personally serve as head of the robotics department.

Characterising the move as a strategic pivot, He said the unit had reached “a turning point in its history”, as it “ushers in the eve of mass production and commercialisation”.

The leadership transition follows the recent departure of Shi Xiaoxin, the department’s senior director for product planning, who resigned due to “personal career adjustments”, according to a report last week by Chinese news outlet National Business Daily.

The report quoted an Xpeng representative as saying the company’s flagship humanoid robot, named Iron, was “moving forward as planned”.

He’s decision to directly steer the unit underscores the urgency of Xpeng’s diversification strategy. The billionaire founder disclosed that over the past year he had spent at least one full day each week engaged in the robotics operations.