[CES 2026] Hyundai Motor's Next-Generation Humanoid Robot "Atlas" Makes Global Debut

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its future blueprint for AI (artificial intelligence) robot technology that collaborates with humans. Robots are no longer just "machines" that replace humans in dangerous tasks, but the company has proposed a "digital colleague" goal of coexistence and collaboration between humans and robots based on the commercialization of robots.

▶ On the 5th local time, Hyundai Motor Group made the global debut of its next-generation humanoid robot "Atlas" at CES 2026. /YouTube

On the 5th local time, during the media day of CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, Hyundai Motor Group announced an AI robot technology ecosystem strategy centered on humans, under the theme "AI Robot Technology, Beyond the Lab into Life (Partnering Human Progress)."

▲ On the 5th local time, during the media day of CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, the next-generation humanoid robot "Atlas" is greeting the audience. /Yonhap News Agency

This is a further step from Hyundai Motor's exhibition theme at CES 2022, which was "Expanding the Boundaries of Mobility Experience." At that time, the theme aimed to expand the concept of mobility such as cars, but over the past three years, cars have evolved into SDVs (Software-Defined Vehicles), and robots have also entered an era where performance is determined by software and data.

▲ On the 5th local time, during the media day of CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, Hyundai Motor Group announced an AI robot technology ecosystem strategy centered on humans with the theme "AI Robot Technology, Beyond the Lab into Life (Partnering Human Progress)." /Hyundai Motor

The core of Hyundai Motor Group's proposal at this year's CES is "embodied AI," which can perform cognitive, decision-making, and action tasks in the real world, going beyond robots that focus on hardware. The company also outlined three major long-term strategic directions: ▲ Collaboration between humans and robots starting in manufacturing environments ▲ Building an AI robot technology ecosystem by integrating group companies ▲ Establishing partnerships with AI pioneers.

Global Debut of the Physical Prototype of the Next-Generation Humanoid Robot "Atlas"

At this year's CES, Hyundai Motor Group made the global debut of the physical prototype of its next-generation electric humanoid robot "Atlas." Atlas has two versions developed jointly with Hyundai's U.S. subsidiary, Boston Dynamics: a research version (prototype) and a development version (product) for actual field use.

The development version of Atlas features a full-body joint structure with 56 freely movable joints, hand tactile sensors, and cameras capable of 360-degree recognition, enabling it to perform tasks similar to those of humans. It can lift up to 50 kilograms and operate effectively in environments ranging from -20°C to +40°C.

▲ On the 5th local time, during the media day of CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA, Hyundai Motor's next-generation robot "Atlas" is demonstrating various movements. /Lee Jeong-ju reporter

Hyundai Motor Group plans to gradually introduce the robot at its "Hyundai Motor Group America Factory" (HMGMA) in Georgia, USA, starting in 2028. Initially, it will be used in processes that have already been verified for safety and efficiency, such as parts sorting. After 2030, it will be expanded to assembly processes, gradually expanding the scope of operations. The company will prioritize safety and quality, initially focusing on simple repetitive tasks with high weight and high risk to support a safe working environment for factory workers. Once safety and quality are verified, the application scope in the production site will be gradually expanded.

▲ Illustration by Kim Young-ae, Korean Design Lab

Cultivating Robots in a "Software-Defined Factory"

The core of Hyundai Motor Group's AI robot technology strategy is the manufacturing site. The group has designated HMGMA as a "Software-Defined Factory" (SDF) and plans to use it as a testbed for robot learning and verification. SDF is an advanced smart factory based on data and software, and robots will play a key role in maximizing the flexibility of the entire manufacturing process and improving production efficiency.

To enhance the learning and performance of AI robots, the factory will provide a robot development environment based on vehicle manufacturing data, allowing robots to learn from actual process data. The data accumulated during this process will then be used to further improve robot performance, creating a virtuous cycle.

For this purpose, Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish a dedicated robot learning space, the "Robot Manufacturing Application Center" (RMAC), in the U.S. by the end of the year. The data accumulated by robots pre-trained through mapping-based learning at RMAC will be cycled back into the SDF for practical training, repeatedly retraining the robots.

The roles of the group's affiliated companies have been clearly defined. Hyundai Motor and Kia provide manufacturing infrastructure and process data, Hyundai Mobis supplies core components for robots, and Hyundai Glovis is responsible for logistics automation and supply chain optimization. Hyundai Motor Group aims to build a mass production system capable of producing 30,000 robots annually by 2028.

▲ Illustration by Kim Young-ae, Korean Design Lab

Collaborating with NVIDIA and Google DeepMind to Enhance the "AI Brain"

Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind are collaborating to develop a specialized AI foundation model for humanoid robots. An AI foundation model refers to an AI deep learning model trained on extensive data to handle various tasks. Google DeepMind is continuously optimizing its "Gemini Robotics" model based on the generative AI model Gemini, aiming to integrate it with Boston Dynamics' world-class robotics technology. Jack Yackoski, the head of Atlas development at Boston Dynamics, said, "The integration of robots and AI goes beyond mere technological advancement; it is a new innovation that makes human life safer and more prosperous." "Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind's strategic partnership will become a crucial step in redefining the future industrial paradigm."

Robots Also Enter the "Subscription Era" – Expanding Across All Industries via RaaS

Hyundai Motor Group does not limit itself to simply selling robots but will also introduce a "robot service" (RaaS, Robots as a Service) model. Customers can opt for subscription or pay-per-use models instead of purchasing robots, and the company will offer software upgrades, maintenance, warranty, and remote management services.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand its robot business into multiple industries such as manufacturing, logistics, construction, and facility management. The company's strategy also includes becoming one of the core axes of the global robot ecosystem by making significant investments in AI and robot fields by 2030.

In South Korea, Hyundai plans to invest a total of 125.5 billion won (approximately 60.63 billion yuan) over five years until 2030, the largest investment in history; in the United States, starting in 2025, it will invest 2.6 billion dollars over four years, with the core being investments in AI and autonomous driving technologies in collaboration with American companies.

A spokesperson from Hyundai Motor Group stated, "For Hyundai Motor Group, what matters is not what technology can do, but what humans can achieve through technology." "Hyundai will continue to demonstrate a vision of true collaboration between humans and robots for human progress, and consistently practice the corporate value of 'Progress for Humanity.'"

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/7592172227236348458/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.