Gasgoo Munich- Changan Automobile has officially launched its robotics subsidiary. Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. was formally established on March 31, the automaker announced.
Positioned as the strategic vehicle for Changan's robotics ambitions, the new entity will leverage intelligent humanoid technology to expand into multiple robotics sectors. Its goal: to create iconic "embodied intelligence" products and solutions, establishing itself as a world-class provider of robotics hardware and services.
Gasgoo understands that this isn't a sudden move. Changan has spent nearly a decade evolving from building cars to building humanoids, transitioning from a strategic concept to independent operations—a significant leap in its business dimension.
A Nine-Year Evolution in the Making
The seeds of Changan's foray into humanoids were sown long ago.
Back in 2017, Changan unveiled its "Shangri-La" plan, setting the stage for its pivot from traditional manufacturing to a technology-driven enterprise. By the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, the automaker had introduced the concept of the "automotive robot."
Later that year at the Guangzhou Auto Show, Changan laid out a detailed roadmap covering robots, flying cars, and its Tianshu large model. The plan involved investing over 50 billion yuan within five years, launching flying car products by 2026, and debuting humanoid robots by 2027—all to accelerate its transformation into a smart, low-carbon mobility technology company.
By 2025, at its fifth Technology Ecosystem Conference, Changan officially launched its intelligent brand, "New Changan · New Safety — Tianshu Intelligent," dedicated to providing users with "extremely safe intelligent mobility solutions."
Image Source: Qichacha
Tianshu Intelligent's vision has always extended far beyond automobiles. According to reports, Changan made it clear even when the brand was first launched: it would accelerate its expansion into future emerging industries like humanoid robots and flying cars, with a specific timeline in place.
The company aims to launch its first flying car product in 2026, with mass production and deliveries targeted for 2028, the same year it plans to roll out humanoid robots. By 2030, it expects to expand into family service robots, and by 2035, it aims to build a low-altitude industrial ecosystem capable of generating a 100 billion yuan cluster.
Now, that vision is rapidly becoming reality.
The establishment of Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot marks a critical step for the Tianshu brand as it moves from "cars" to "pan-mobility."
Moving forward, Changan and its partners will jointly explore various "pan-mobility" application scenarios. They aim to break through core technologies such as robotic cognition, human-machine collaboration, and swarm intelligence, creating new productive forces and growth curves centered around robotics and artificial intelligence.
Notably, Tianshu Intelligent's "New Safety" philosophy will extend beyond automobiles into broader fields. Whether it's the companionship and guardianship offered by humanoid robots in the home, or the safety and reliability of flying cars in future urban transport, the "pan-security" system defined by Tianshu is set to become the foundational "safety base" for these emerging industries.
Entry Backed by Technical Strength
The shift from building cars to building humans is no longer novel. XPeng, NIO, and Li Auto have all tested the waters, and now Changan is making its official entry.
Changan's determined push into robotics is driven by a deep understanding of the "embodied intelligence" trend. This concept involves giving AI a physical "body" to perceive, act, and interact, rather than just "thinking." The humanoid robot is the ultimate vessel for this embodied intelligence.
The launch of Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot serves as a firm response to this trend. As the company puts it, intelligence shouldn't be trapped on four wheels; it needs to "stand up" and step into broader scenarios of daily life.
Image Source: Changan Automobile
It is worth noting that Changan previously mentioned in an investor relations report that it would adopt a "1+N+X" strategy to layout its intelligent automotive robotics technology and business around core scenarios.
This "1+N+X" strategy uses humanoid robots as the core thread while expanding into diverse businesses such as vehicle components, mobility ecosystems, and specialized services. It also aims to integrate upstream and downstream resources to build a complete industrial chain ecosystem.
The specific timeline calls for the first vehicle-component robot to launch in the first quarter of 2026, with mass production of humanoid robots targeted for 2028. After 2030, the company will gradually expand into family service robots, driving mutual empowerment between the automotive and robotics industries. From cars to components, and on to humanoids and home services, Changan is following a clear path of technological and scenario evolution to build a complete landscape spanning from "mobility tools" to a "pan-mobility ecosystem."
Therefore, Changan's entry into robotics is not just about exploring new business lines; it is a play for mutual empowerment. On one hand, the precision machining and intelligent control technologies accumulated through automotive manufacturing provide solid support for robotics R&D. On the other, robotics technology will feed back into the intelligent upgrade of automotive production lines, continuously enhancing smart manufacturing capabilities.
From a technical perspective, a car is essentially a mobile robot with autonomous driving capabilities. The two share high commonality in the three core links of perception, decision-making, and execution. Changan's technical accumulation in the field of intelligent driving—including the Tianshu large model, end-to-end algorithms, and steer-by-wire chassis technology—is fully transferable to the realm of humanoid robots.
This "automotive + robotics" dual-drive model is opening up new growth space for the auto industry. The establishment of Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robot represents that pivotal step for the Tianshu brand as it moves beyond the car and into the broader world of pan-mobility.
