The Tamesis
South Korean auto giant Hyundai plans to start using humanoid robots at its U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgia as part of a larger push into the physical artificial intelligence market.
The automaker will deploy a production version of the Atlas humanoid robot developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics starting in 2028, the company said at the 2028 Automakers Conference. CES Monday in Las Vegas.
Hyundai did not disclose the cost of the robots, but said in a statement that it aims to promote robots at all its manufacturing sites as part of a push for “physical artificial intelligence.”
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Physical AI refers to artificial intelligence systems embedded in hardware that can collect real-world data and make autonomous decisions, covering fields such as robotics, smart factories, and autonomous driving.
Hyundai expects humanoid robots to be the largest market segment. The automaker said it plans to build a factory with an annual output of 30,000 robots by 2028.
Some automakers also see overlap between autonomous driving and robotics, as similar sensing, perception and decision-making technologies underpin both aspects of the emerging field of embedded artificial intelligence.
It is said that the Atlas robot will first perform parts sorting tasks starting in 2028. As the safety and quality advantages are verified, the scope of application will gradually expand.
Hyundai Motor said it expects Atlas robots to enter the parts assembly field by 2030 and has long-term plans to take on heavy loads, repetitive movements and complex operations across production sites.
unemployment worries
Hyundai Motor said the production version of its Atlas humanoid robot launched on Monday is designed to reduce physical stress on workers by taking on higher-risk and repetitive tasks, laying the groundwork for wider commercial use in industrial settings.
But the company is concerned that the use of these robots could put factory workers out of work. Last year, a union at Hyundai Motor Co’s Kia Motors unit called for the creation of a body to address potential labor rights issues in preparation for the age of artificial intelligence, as workers raise concerns about their jobs due to expanding automation.
Speaking at CES on Monday, Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang said the company understood people’s concerns about job losses but said it needed people to maintain and train the robots, and that it would need additional personnel.
According to Hyundai, Atlas has human-sized hands with touch-sensing capabilities and can lift objects weighing up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
The robot can operate autonomously and is designed to work in industrial environments ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.
Hyundai said it is accelerating development in this area through collaborations with global AI leaders, including with Nvidia and Google, aiming to improve safety, efficiency and practical deployment.
- Vishakha Saxena Additional Editor, Reuters
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