Another Car Maker Goes on "Making Humans" Journey

According to official information from Changan Automobile, Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. was officially established on March 31.

The company is positioned as the strategic carrier of Changan Automobile's robotics industry, leveraging intelligent humanoid robot technology to develop multiple robotics industry segments. It aims to create iconic "embodied intelligence" innovative products and solutions, becoming a world-class provider of robotic products and services.

Gasgoo learned that Changan's foray into the robotics field was not a spontaneous decision; from strategic conception to independent operation, Changan spent nearly a decade completing the dimensional evolution from "making cars" to "making humanoids."

A "Dimension Upgrade War" Nine Years in the Making

The "creation of humans" in Chang'an had already laid the groundwork.

In 2017, Changan launched the “Shangri-La” Plan, establishing its strategic shift from traditional manufacturing to a technology company. At the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, Changan introduced the concept of the “Automotive Robot” for the first time.

At the same year's Guangzhou Auto Show, Changan Automobile announced detailed plans for robots, flying cars, and the Tianshu large model: investing over 50 billion yuan within 5 years, launching Changan flying car products by 2026, and releasing humanoid robot products by 2027, accelerating its transformation into a smart and low-carbon mobility technology company.

In 2025, at the 5th Changan Automotive Technology and Ecology Conference, Changan Automobile officially launched the intelligent brand "New Changan·New Safety – TianShu Intelligence", dedicated to providing users with "extreme safety intelligent travel solutions".

Source: Qichacha

For a long time, the future vision of Tianshu Intelligent goes far beyond the automotive industry. According to reports, as early as the release of the Tianshu Intelligent brand, Changan Automobile has clearly stated that it will accelerate the layout of future industries such as humanoid robots and flying cars, and has set a timeline.

Aiming to launch the first eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft product in 2026, achieve mass production and delivery in 2028, and roll out humanoid robots; gradually expand into household service robots after 2030; and by 2035, establish a low-altitude industry ecosystem and build an industry cluster with a revenue scale of RMB 100 billion.

Now, this vision is being accelerated into reality.

The establishment of Tianshu Intelligent Robotics Company marks a crucial step for the Tianshu Intelligent brand as it expands from “vehicles” to “mobility at large.”

In the future, Changan Automobile will collaborate with partners to explore various application scenarios of "pan-mobility," break through core technologies such as robot cognition, human-robot collaboration, and swarm intelligence, and create new productive forces and growth curves centered around robots and artificial intelligence.

Notably, Tianshu Intelligence's "New Security" concept will extend beyond automobiles into broader domains. Whether it's humanoid robots providing companionship and protection in home settings or flying cars ensuring safety and reliability in future urban transportation, Tianshu Intelligence's defined "pan-security" framework will serve as the foundational "security bedrock" for these emerging industries.

Entering the game stems from technological confidence.

From “building cars” to “building humans” is no longer a novelty. XPeng, NIO, and Li Auto have all ventured into this field, and now Changan has officially entered the arena.

Changan's firm commitment to robotics is rooted in a deep understanding of the "embodied intelligence" trend. So-called "embodied intelligence" is about enabling AI to not just "think," but to have a "body" for sensing, acting, and interacting. Humanoid robots are the ultimate embodiment of "embodied intelligence."

The establishment of Chang'an TianShu Intelligent Robot Company is precisely a firm response to this trend. Chang'an officials stated that intelligence should not be confined to four wheels but should "stand up" and enter a wider range of life scenarios.

Photo source: Changan Automobile

It is worth noting that Changan Automobile previously mentioned in its investor relations activity record that, regarding its robotics business, it has adopted a “1+N+X” strategic layout for intelligent automotive robotics technologies and operations, centered on core application scenarios.

It will adopt a "1+N+X" strategic layout, taking humanoid robots as the core focus, expanding into diversified businesses such as automotive components, mobility ecosystems, and specialized services, and integrating upstream and downstream resources to build a full industrial chain ecosystem.

The specific timeline is as follows: the first vehicle-mounted component robot will be launched in Q1 2026, mass production of humanoid robots will be achieved by 2028, and expansion into home service robots will gradually commence after 2030, driving mutual empowerment between the automotive and robotics industries. Moving from vehicles to vehicle-mounted components, then to humanoid robots and home service robots, Changan is following a clear technological and scenario evolution path to build a comprehensive ecosystem—from "mobility tools" to a "broad mobility ecosystem."

Therefore, Changan's entry into robotics is not just about expanding into a new business but represents a two-way empowerment. On one hand, the precision manufacturing and intelligent control technologies accumulated in automobile production provide a solid foundation for robotics development; on the other hand, robotics technology will, in turn, enhance the intelligence of automotive production lines, continuously advancing smart manufacturing capabilities.

From a technical perspective, an automobile is essentially a mobile robot with autonomous driving capabilities; both share highly common core components—perception, decision-making, and execution. Changan’s technological expertise in intelligent driving—including the Tianshu large model, end-to-end algorithms, and steer-by-wire chassis—provides a solid foundation for seamless transfer to the humanoid robotics domain.

This "car + robot" dual-wheel drive model is opening up a whole new growth space for the automotive industry. The establishment of Tian Shu Intelligent Robotics Company marks a crucial step for the Tian Shu Intelligent brand in moving from "vehicles" to "broad mobility".