LAS VEGAS: Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to deploy humanoid robots at its US manufacturing plant in Georgia starting in 2028, aiming to automate higher-risk and repetitive tasks, the South Korean automaker said at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Hyundai unveiled the production version of its Atlas humanoid robot, developed by its Boston Dynamics unit.
The company said on Monday that it aims to build a factory capable of producing 30,000 robot units annually by 2028.
Hyundai did not disclose the cost of the robots but said the initiative is part of a broader push into “physical AI,” or AI embedded in hardware for industrial use.
Long-term deployment
The Atlas robots will initially carry out parts sequencing tasks at the Georgia plant from 2028.
Hyundai plans to gradually expand applications to component assembly by 2030, with a longer-term goal of using robots for heavy loads, repetitive motions, and complex operations across production sites.
The robots are intended to reduce physical strain on workers by handling hazardous and repetitive work.
Labour concerns and workforce integration
At Hyundai Motor’s affiliate Kia Corp, labour unions have previously raised concerns over potential job losses, calling for frameworks to address labour rights in the AI era.
Hyundai Motor’s Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang acknowledged such concerns, stating that human workers will still be needed to maintain, train, and supervise the robots.
He added that additional personnel would be required to support robotic operations.
Capabilities and industrial use
Atlas robots feature human-scale hands with tactile sensing and can lift up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
They are designed to operate autonomously in industrial environments ranging from minus 20 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.
Hyundai said the robots are expected to become the largest segment of the physical AI market, spanning robotics, smart factories, and autonomous systems.
Global partnerships
Hyundai said it is accelerating development through collaborations with global AI leaders, including Nvidia and Google, to enhance safety, efficiency, and real-world deployment of the Atlas robots.
Some automakers see overlaps between autonomous driving and robotics, as both fields rely on similar sensing, perception, and decision-making technologies.
