ROBOTICS
Hyundai plans a robot rollout across all sites
Hyundai Motor Group plans to introduce humanoid robots at its manufacturing plant in Georgia from 2028.
The company revealed the final production version of the Atlas humanoid robot, built by Boston Dynamics, at CES in Las Vegas.
The Atlas robots will first handle parts sequencing tasks in 2028. Hyundai said their use would grow gradually as safety and quality gains are checked and approved.
By 2030, the company expects Atlas to move into component assembly, with longer-term goals that include lifting heavy loads, doing repetitive work, and carrying out complex industrial tasks.
Hyundai calls this effort part of its focus on “physical AI.”
This term refers to AI systems embedded in hardware that collect data from the real world and make autonomous decisions.
The company did not share how many robots it will deploy or what they will cost, but said humanoid robots are likely to become the largest segment of the physical AI market.
Three things to note:
Hyundai will deploy Atlas robots in Georgia starting in 2028.
The company aims to expand humanoid robot use across all sites.
Physical AI means AI built into hardware that works in real environments.
The 50 kg question
Atlas has human-scale hands with tactile sensing and can lift up to 50 kg (110 pounds).
It is designed to work autonomously in industrial environments and operate in temperatures from minus 20 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.
Hyundai also said it is speeding up development through global partnerships, including work with Nvidia and Google.
In a related context, workers at Kia Corp, an affiliate of Hyundai, have previously raised questions about labour rights as automation expands.
Yes, awesome but can it help me with groceries in ENGLAND in JANUARY? - MG