Hyundai takes giant leap into future with Atlas robots at US facility

Proceeding from a new article, Interesting Engineering describes that Hyundai Motor Group is embarking on a transformative leap into factory automation by introducing Atlas humanoid robots at its Metaplant America facility in Georgia. These advanced bipedal robots, developed by Boston Dynamics, are designed to take over tasks traditionally performed by human workers, marking a significant step in Hyundai’s ongoing partnership with the robotics company.

The move comes after Hyundai’s commitment to purchasing tens of thousands of robots from Boston Dynamics, a company it acquired from SoftBank in 2021. This investment is part of Hyundai’s broader strategy to become a leader in mobile robotics and enhance its manufacturing processes.

At the Metaplant America site, Hyundai is already utilizing Spot robots—four-legged machines—for industrial inspections. The plant also employs a specialized robot that removes car doors before the vehicles enter General Assembly, and another fixed robot that reattaches the doors later in the process, a unique technology at the Georgia facility.

While the company has not disclosed the number of Atlas robots to be deployed or the specific tasks they will handle, reports suggest that Hyundai plans to expand its use of robots across its global manufacturing operations to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

This push for automation is part of Hyundai’s ambitious $21 billion investment plan in the U.S., which includes $6 billion earmarked for innovation, automation, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, U.S. tariffs on imported cars have accelerated the company’s automation efforts.

Despite a global sales slump of 2% last year, Hyundai saw a 4% increase in U.S. sales, reaching 1.9 million units. The company plans to produce 300,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually at its new facility, with a long-term goal of reaching 500,000 units. Hyundai aims to produce 1.2 million vehicles annually in the U.S. by 2025, a 70% increase from 2024’s projected volume.

By Naila Huseynova