Hyundai Commits 25,000 Atlas Robots to Own Factories: Union Blocks Deployment Without Labor Deal

Hyundai Motor Group revealed at a JPMorgan Chase investor session in Boston that it will deploy more than 25,000 Atlas humanoid robots, developed by its US subsidiary Boston Dynamics, across its manufacturing plants by 2028. The robots will absorb 83% of the 30,000-unit annual production capacity, with initial deployments planned at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia, in 2028, followed by Kia’s Georgia plant in 2029. The Korean Metal Workers’ Union has blocked Atlas from entering any Hyundai factory without a formal labor-management agreement. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robots are designed to handle dynamic tasks, including lifting and carrying loads exceeding 110 pounds, using a system called proprioception to adapt to unfamiliar objects. The robots were trained through GPU-parallel reinforcement learning simulations, practicing with varied weights, grip conditions, and object positions across millions of simulated hours. This approach enables zero-shot sim-to-real transfer, allowing the robots to perform tasks in physical environments without additional training. Hyundai is also constructing a US production facility for Atlas actuators through Hyundai Mobis, which supplies the robots’ joints. The facility, set to begin production in 2028, will have an annual capacity of 350,000 actuators, supporting the full 30,000-robot production run. The company has confirmed that external customers will be considered starting in 2027, following initial deployments for Hyundai and Google DeepMind. The Atlas robots feature 56 degrees of freedom, fully rotational joints at the hips, waist, and neck, and a 2.3-meter reach. Their certified maximum lift capacity is 50 kg (110 lbs), though internal testing demonstrated adaptability beyond this range. Hyundai’s commitment to internal deployment before external sales reflects its focus on integrating advanced robotics into its manufacturing processes.