Hyundai to deploy Boston Dynamics humanoids, quadrupeds

Waltham, Mass.-based autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider Boston Dynamics and Hyundai Motor Group recently announced the companies have entered a new chapter together to increase manufacturing capabilities, expand collaboration to produce more robots, and help build a vibrant robotics ecosystem in the U.S.

Hyundai announced it will invest $21 billion in the U.S., including a $6 billion investment to drive innovation and expand strategic partnerships with U.S. companies. 

As part of this new investment, Hyundai said it will purchase tens of thousands of robots in the next few years, and the company will help enable Boston Dynamics’ growth by integrating its manufacturing capabilities for mobility with Boston Dynamics' business to manufacture AMRs.

Hyundai is already deploying Spot quadruped robots for industrial inspection and predictive maintenance at its facilities.

The company will also deploy Atlas humanoid robots across its factories in the future.

Hyundai invests in physical AI

At a recent Boston Dynamics all-employee town hall, Euisun Chung Hyundai Motor Group executive chair, and Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai Motor Group vice chair, joined Robert Playter, Boston Dynamics CEO, and spoke directly about future business plans, emphasizing support for Boston Dynamics and the expansion of AI investments, and promotion of external partnerships and collaboration efforts.

As part of Hyundai’s continuous drive for innovation, it said integration of Boston Dynamics’ systems will see Hyundai further improve its advanced manufacturing capabilities.

“Boston Dynamics and robotics AI will play a crucial role in achieving the [Hyundai Motor] Group’s goal,” Chang said. “Physical AI and humanoid robots will transform our business landscape to the next level. Through our collaboration, we will expedite the process to achieve leadership in the robotics industry.”

Collaboration to support commercialization

Goldman Sachs reported that by 2035, the humanoid robotics market will grow to more than $38 billion. As the entire robotics industry grows, so does the need for immediate action to address robot production and development, and to better understand the intersection between Hyundai’s manufacturing needs and the areas where Boston Dynamics’ robots can enable increased productivity and efficiency.

“Over the course of the last few years, there has been an impressive uptick in new entrants to the robotics space,” Playter said. “It is imperative we work together with Hyundai Motor Group to combine our strengths, because the opportunity for advanced robots in the mobility industry is massive.”

“We have a phenomenal track record of delivering dependable general-purpose robots,” Playter added. “Today marks a pivotal moment because with its commitment and support, Hyundai Motor Group will become our biggest customer. It will help us to build successful AI policies, and will also unlock the [Hyundai Motor] Group’s vast commercial relationships to help establish strategic customers for products like Stretch, entering into multi-lateral agreements in which we may deliver robots, trucks, and electric vehicles together.”

Spot, Atlas deployment at Hyundai Metaplant

The town hall was attended by more than 800 employees - including Hyundai’s Hokeun Chung, EVP and head of future strategy division, Heung-Soo Kim, EVP and head of global strategy office, Juncheul Jung, EVP and head of manufacturing area, Hae In Kim, EVP and head of HR division, Dong Jin Hyun, VP and head of robotics LAB, along with Marc Raibert, Boston Dynamics founder and executive director of the Robotics and AI Institute. 

The hour-long session reinforced Boston Dynamics’ collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group as well as its importance in the company’s future.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) also recently held an opening ceremony for Hyundai’s new manufacturing facility in Bryan County, Georgia, where the collaboration between the two organizations was further highlighted as Boston Dynamics’ Spot gave demonstrations to VIP guests. 

Spot will be used for exterior quality control inspection in HMGMA’s weld shop. Atlas electric humanoid robots will also be deployed at HMGMA in the future.

Boston Dynamics said the theme of collaboration and partnership echoed throughout the town hall aligns directly with its history of partnering with institutions and researchers to develop robots. 

Boston Dynamics recently announced new partnerships with NVIDIA, Google Deepmind, the Toyota Research Institute and sister company the Robotics and AI Institute to continuously advance and improve robots.