Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to significantly expand its use of AI-powered robotics across its global manufacturing network. Central to this strategy is Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, which is expected to be deployed on factory floors by 2028.

Atlas made its public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, showcasing advanced mobility and manipulation capabilities designed for industrial environments. Hyundai aims to build a production ecosystem capable of manufacturing up to 30,000 robots annually.

Boston Dynamics, in which Hyundai holds a majority stake, is also collaborating with Google DeepMind to accelerate the development of advanced AI models for robotics.

“The convergence of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching,” said Zachary Jackowski, Vice President and General Manager of Atlas at Boston Dynamics.

“By combining the capabilities of Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind through this strategic partnership, we are taking a significant step toward redefining the future paradigm of the industry.”

Inside the Atlas Humanoid Robot

Atlas features 56 degrees of freedom, most with fully rotational joints, and human-scale hands equipped with tactile sensors. According to Hyundai, the robot can perform precision tasks and lift loads of up to 50 kilograms.

From 2028, Hyundai plans to introduce Atlas into manufacturing processes where safety and quality benefits are most evident, starting with tasks such as parts sequencing.

By 2030, Atlas’ capabilities are expected to expand into component assembly and operations involving repetitive movements and heavy lifting.

Hyundai’s AI Robotics Strategy

Hyundai is building a Group Value Network centered on an end-to-end AI Robotics Value Chain, integrating its subsidiaries with strategic partners such as NVIDIA.

NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, and frameworks will be deployed across Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and Hyundai Mobis to support robotics development and large-scale deployment.

This initiative complements Boston Dynamics’ collaboration with Google DeepMind, combining advanced AI research with real-world industrial robotics.

Hyundai also plans to use software-defined factories and a dedicated Robot Metaplant Application Center to train robots using real production data and ensure safe human–robot interaction.

Within the Group, affiliates have defined roles to support this vision. Hyundai Mobis will focus on high-performance actuators and standardised components, while Hyundai Glovis will optimise logistics and supply chain operations.

“We are excited to begin working with the Boston Dynamics team to explore what’s possible with their new Atlas robot,” said Carolina Parada, Senior Director of Robotics at Google DeepMind. “Our goal is to scale robotics safely and efficiently while expanding real-world impact.”

Robotics-as-a-Service and Global Scale

Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot Spot is already operating in more than 40 countries, handling tasks such as data collection, inspection, and safety monitoring.

Stretch, the company’s warehouse robot, has unloaded more than 20 million boxes globally since its debut in 2023.

Hyundai plans to leverage its manufacturing expertise to scale AI robotics production and expand its Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) portfolio. This subscription-based model allows customers to deploy robotics without large upfront investments.

The RaaS approach is already in use with partners including DHL, Nestlé, and Maersk.

To support long-term growth, Hyundai has announced investments of US$86 billion in South Korea and US$26 billion in the United States over the next five years, focused on advancing AI-powered robotics technologies.