Hyundai plans 30,000 humanoid robots annually for factory automation

Hyundai Motor Group has announced an ambitious plan to integrate 30,000 humanoid robots annually into its factory operations by 2028, aiming to automate repetitive and high-risk tasks. The company unveiled the production version of the Atlas humanoid robot at CES 2026, designed to work alongside humans by 2030 on complex duties such as parts sequencing and component assembly. Leveraging Boston Dynamics’ robots—including Atlas, Spot, and Stretch—Hyundai intends to transition from traditional hardware-based robotics to AI-driven “Physical AI” systems that enhance collaboration, adaptability, and efficiency in industrial environments. The Atlas robot can lift up to 110 pounds and operate in a wide temperature range, focusing on reducing physical strain on workers while improving safety and quality. To accelerate this integration, Hyundai is developing Software-Defined Factories (SDF) that collect data to train robots and Robot Metaplant Application Centers (RMACs) to teach robots various tasks. Despite concerns from labor unions about job losses due