Hyundai Motor Group says it would roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028, as main corporations race to make use of the brand new expertise.
The South Korean agency confirmed off Atlas, a humanoid robotic developed by Boston Dynamics, on the Client Electronics Present (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday.
Hyundai says it “plans to combine Atlas throughout its international community”, together with a plant within the US state of Georgia that was concerned in a massive immigration raid in 2025.
Different companies which have stated they may use humanoid robots of their operations embody Amazon, Tesla and Chinese language automobile making large BYD.
The Atlas robots will step by step tackle extra duties, stated Hyundai. The agency owns a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the expertise firm well-known for Spot the robot dog.
Atlas, which is designed for normal industrial use, is being developed to work alongside folks and autonomously handle machines.
Hyundai stated the robots will assist ease bodily pressure on human employees, deal with doubtlessly harmful duties and pave the best way for wider use of the expertise.
The agency didn’t say what number of robots it could initially deploy or how a lot the venture will value.
Talking at CES, Hyundai’s vice chair, Jaehoon Chang, acknowledged considerations that that human employees may lose their jobs to robots. However he stated folks will nonetheless be wanted practice the robots, amongst different roles, the information company Reuters reported.
Monday’s announcement got here after Hyundai stated in 2025 that in would invest more than $20bn (£15.5bn) in the US, supporting President Donald Trump’s plans to spice up manufacturing within the nation.
The agency stated it could broaden automobile manufacturing within the US and put money into autonomous driving expertise and synthetic intelligence (AI).
Elon Musk’s electrical carmaker Tesla has additionally invested closely in its humanoid robotic, Optimus.
Hyundai’s battery plant in Georgia, which it operates in partnership with electronics large LG, is one among its key amenities within the US.
In September 2025, US immigration officers raided the plant and arrested lots of of employees, together with not less than 300 South Korean residents.
The employees had their legs shackled in scenes that sparked outrage in South Korea.
President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai’s chief govt José Muñoz warned that the raid may deter overseas funding within the US.
Later that month, Washington and Seoul reached an settlement to launch the detained employees.
Trump stated he opposed the raid and that the US had an “understanding” with the world on the necessity to usher in consultants to arrange specialised amenities and practice native employees.
Muñoz said in November that the White Home had phoned him personally to apologise for the raid.
