Hyundai is Expanding Manufacturing in the US with Tens of Thousands of Humanoid Robots

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is expanding its investment and collaboration with Boston Dynamics, its wholly owned subsidiary. As part of a broader $21 billion investment in the United States from 2025 to 2028, Hyundai is allocating $6 billion to advance future industries and to strengthen external partnerships, including robotics and AI. A key component of this strategic investment is the purchase of “tens of thousands of robots” over the next few years according to comments made at a recent Boston Dynamics Town Hall meeting.

This purchase is intended to enhance Hyundai’s manufacturing capabilities and contribute to building a robust robotics ecosystem in the US By integrating Boston Dynamics' solutions, Hyundai aims to improve its advanced manufacturing processes, increase productivity, and boost efficiency.

Hyundai is already using Boston Dynamics' Spot robots for industrial inspection and predictive maintenance within its facilities. Spot, an agile mobile robot for dynamic sensing and industrial inspection, can automate tasks like thermal and visual inspections, listening for anomalies, and performing routine safety checks. The collaboration was recently highlighted at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) facility opening in Georgia, where Spot demonstrations were given, and the robot is slated for use in exterior quality inspection in the weld shop there.

Looking ahead, Hyundai also plans to deploy Atlas, Boston Dynamics' electric humanoid robot, across its factories. Executives at both companies view physical AI and humanoid robots as transformative for the business landscape and crucial for achieving leadership in the robotics industry. Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, noted that with this commitment, Hyundai will become their biggest customer, helping them build successful AI policies and leveraging Hyundai's commercial relationships to establish strategic customers for products like Stretch, potentially in multi-lateral agreements involving robots, trucks, and electric vehicles.