Xiaomi's Head of L3 Autonomous Driving Leaves to Launch Physical AI Startup

Xiaomi has lost a key figure in its autonomous driving program. Wang Naiyan, who led the company’s work on L3 self-driving technology, has departed to start a new venture focused on physical AI, according to a report from CnEVPost.

His exit is part of a wider pattern in China’s automotive sector, where senior technical talent is increasingly stepping away from established carmakers to pursue opportunities in the emerging physical AI space. Physical AI generally refers to systems that combine artificial intelligence with robots or machines capable of interacting with the real world.

Xiaomi has not commented on the departure in the report, and no details were provided about the scale or focus of Wang’s new company. The move highlights how competition for AI expertise is intensifying beyond traditional vehicle development, as automakers and startups alike race to build intelligent systems that go beyond the car itself.