Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled plans to deploy more than 25,000 Atlas humanoid robots developed by its US subsidiary Boston Dynamics across its vehicle manufacturing operations, in one of the most aggressive humanoid commitments by any automaker to date. The group disclosed the plan at an investor relations session hosted by JPMorgan Chase in Boston, with executives from six affiliates in attendance, including Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Glovis, Hyundai AutoEver and Boston Dynamics.
Robots for Hyundai's own factories first
The group said it will initially deploy the 25,000-plus Atlas units inside Hyundai and Kia manufacturing plants before expanding to external sales. That figure represents roughly 83 percent of the 30,000 robots Hyundai aims to produce each year by 2028. Kia chief executive Song Ho-sung said at a separate overseas roadshow that Atlas will first be deployed at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia in 2028, with Kia's Georgia plant following in 2029. The strategy mirrors the path other manufacturers are taking as humanoid robots move from prototypes into mass production.
Building the supply chain in the US
Hyundai also announced plans to establish a US production facility for actuators, the components that function as the "muscles" of humanoid robots and account for roughly 60 percent of their material costs. The plant, to be operated by Hyundai Mobis, is expected to have annual capacity of 350,000 units starting in 2028. Industry officials estimate each Atlas robot requires more than 10 actuators, underscoring why localizing the supply chain is central to the plan. Boston Dynamics has already shown the latest electric Atlas handling industrial tasks, building on the capabilities it demonstrated at CES 2026.
Driving down the cost curve
According to industry estimates, Atlas production costs sit at roughly $130,000 to $140,000 per unit during the early mass-production stage, but are expected to fall to around $30,000 once cumulative output exceeds 50,000 units. By securing early demand from its own factories, Hyundai appears to be aiming for volumes high enough to bring costs down quickly. The move also deepens the group's push into humanoids, coming after Hyundai signaled its entry into the humanoid market.
IPO speculation
Market observers speculated that the group may be stepping up preparations for a potential initial public offering of Boston Dynamics. However, Kia's Song played down such talk during a recent roadshow, saying the company has not yet decided on the timing of an IPO or whether to pursue external fundraising.
Reporting based on coverage from The Korea Herald.