Published on: April 7, 2025 / update from: April 7, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Hyundai is investing in tens of thousands of Atlas robots from Boston Dynamics-creative image: Xpert.digital
Hyundai relies on humanoid robots: Large orders for Boston Dynamics
Big plans: Hyundai is investing massively in robotics technology
The South Korean Hyundai Motor Group announced on April 7, 2025 that it intends to acquire tens of thousands of humanoid robots of the ATLAS type from its subsidiary Boston Dynamics. This significant investment is to be made over a period of several years and marks an important milestone in the strategic orientation of the automotive group on robotics and automated production processes.
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The partnership between Hyundai and Boston Dynamics
Hyundai had already acquired a majority of 80 percent of Boston Dynamics for $ 1.1 billion in 2020, while the previous owner Softbank retained the remaining 20 percent. This takeover was part of Hyundai's long -term strategy to position yourself as a “smart mobility solution provider” and, in addition to autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, also gain a foothold in the area of robotics.
Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chairman of the Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation with Boston Dynamics and Robotik-KI. He explained that physical AI and Humanoid robots will raise the Hyundai business landscape to a new level and that the joint work should accelerate the process to achieve a management position in the robotics industry.
The new electrical atlas robot
In April 2024, Boston Dynamics presented a completely revised version of his humanoid robot Atlas, which is now equipped with electrical instead of hydraulic drives. This technical change has several advantages:
- The robot has become much slimmer and more agile
- It has a higher strength and flexibility
- Many joints can be rotated by 360 degrees, which enables movements that are physically impossible for humans
- The electrical actuators are more reliable than the hydraulic technology of the previous model, in which hydraulic fluid occasionally sprayed out of the joints
Boston Dynamics describes the new Atlas as “the most dynamic humanoid robot in the world”, which was designed for real applications. The system combines a progressive control system with the latest hardware that gives the robot the strength and balance to demonstrate advanced athletic movements and agility.
Use in automotive production
Hyundai plans to gradually integrate the Atlas robots into its automotive production. As early as January 2025, the group had announced that the Atlas robot were testing the production facilities by the end of the year, whereby the Hyundai Motor Group Singapore Global Innovation Center (HMGICS) was mentioned as a possible location for these tests.
Boston Dynamics has already demonstrated the first concrete application scenarios in automotive engineering. In a video, the company shows how the ATLAS robot removes shock absorbers for automobiles from a delivery box and sorted them into subjects for further use. The sensors of the robot permanently records and follows important features of the components.
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Strategic importance and market context
The investment in tens of thousands of Atlas robots is part of a larger Hyundai strategy. The group recently announced that it would invest a total of $ 21 billion in the United States, of which 6 billion is intended for innovation and the expansion of strategic partnerships with US companies.
In the area of humanoid robots for the automotive industry, there are now several competitors:
- The start-up Figure AI has agreed with BMW to deliver robots for use in car production in South Carolina
- Mercedes tests Robot from Apptronik in production
- Tesla develops the “Optimus” robot under the direction of Elon Musk
Financing and implementation
Details on the financial side of the deal between Hyundai and Boston Dynamics were not announced. It is unclear how much Hyundai wants to invest in Boston Dynamics and which price per atlas robot is estimated.
What is certain, however, is that Hyundai wants to provide development aid by buying robots and wants to support in the massive construction of the robots. The group plans to provide production facilities for the production of the Atlas robots to enable mass production.
Production aid of the future: Hyundai's large-scale offensive with Atlas robots
The announcement of Hyundai to acquire tens of thousands of Atlas robots underlines the growing interest of the automotive industry in humanoid robots as support in production. The close cooperation between Hyundai and Boston Dynamics could accelerate the further development and commercialization of humanoid robots and drive their use in industrial environments. The coming years will show to what extent this technology can establish itself in automotive production and what practical advantages it offers compared to conventional industrial robots.
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