Hyundai Motor Group is preparing for the large-scale deployment of Boston Dynamics Atlas humanoid robots in its facilities. The company intends to use tens of thousands of humanoids at Hyundai and Kia factories, betting on a new stage of industrial automation.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to mass deploy Boston Dynamics Atlas humanoid robots in its factories. According to The Korea Times, the company aims to roll out up to 25,000 humanoid robots at Hyundai and Kia facilities. The plans were announced at an investor meeting organized by JPMorgan Chase.
Hyundai also stated that it expects to produce up to 30,000 Atlas robots annually by 2028. The robots are primarily intended for use in Hyundai and Kia's American factories, although specific facilities and timelines for full-scale deployment have not yet been disclosed.
At the same time, Hyundai intends to localize the production of key components for the robots in the U.S. This refers to actuators—mechanisms that serve as the joints and "muscles" of the robot. The company plans to manufacture more than 300,000 such drives per year.
In fact, Hyundai is betting on humanoid robots as the next step in industrial automation. Unlike conventional industrial manipulators, Atlas is capable of moving around factories, working with tools, and performing tasks designed for humans.
In the editorial's opinion, the mass deployment of humanoid robots could become one of the largest technological experiments in recent years. If the project proves successful, the automotive industry will receive a fundamentally new production model where robots can perform not only repetitive operations but also tasks that previously required human involvement.
