Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to deploy humanoid robots at its Georgia manufacturing plant in the United States starting in 2028, aiming to automate higher-risk and repetitive production tasks. The move comes as part of Hyundai’s broader push into “physical AI,” which integrates artificial intelligence into real-world robotics.
The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where Hyundai unveiled the production version of its Atlas humanoid robot, developed by its Boston Dynamics unit. Initially, the robots will handle parts sequencing, with plans to gradually expand to component assembly and other complex operations by 2030. Atlas is designed to reduce physical strain on human workers while maintaining high safety and quality standards.
Atlas robots feature human-scale hands with tactile sensing and can lift up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds). They are capable of autonomous operation in industrial environments ranging from -20°C to 40°C. Hyundai is collaborating with global AI leaders, including Nvidia and Google, to improve efficiency, safety, and deployment in real-world manufacturing.
Hyundai acknowledges concerns over potential job displacement. Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang emphasized that while robots will take on repetitive tasks, human oversight, maintenance, and training will still be critical, creating new roles for workers in the evolving AI-driven manufacturing landscape.
The company sees humanoid robots as a key segment in the growing physical AI market, which spans robotics, smart factories, and autonomous driving, leveraging shared sensing and decision-making technologies.
