Hyundai Motor Group Acquires SoftBank's Stake... Accelerating 'Physical AI'

SoftBank Exercises Remaining Stake Put Option
Accelerating Commercialization of Robotics Including Atlas

As SoftBank exercised its put option on its stake in Boston Dynamics, Hyundai Motor Group has acquired 100% ownership of Boston Dynamics. With a simplified governance structure, the speed of decision-making and business execution is expected to accelerate, further driving Hyundai Motor Group's physical artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.

According to industry sources on July 16, SoftBank exercised its put option on the stake it held in Boston Dynamics this July, in accordance with an agreement signed in 2020. As a result, the existing shareholders have acquired SoftBank's previously held shares.

Currently, Hyundai Motor Group is reviewing the acquisition process, price, and allocation ratio among the shareholders. Previously, the shareholding structure was reported as Hyundai Motor Company holding a 28.0% stake, Kia 17.2%, Hyundai Mobis 11.3%, Hyundai Glovis 11.25%, and Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, with a 22.6% stake. When Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, SoftBank owned a 20% stake, but this was later reduced to below 10% through capital increases.

Hyundai Motor Group stated, "We have been reviewing ways to expand investment cooperation in Boston Dynamics as part of our long-term robotics strategy," and added, "Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics will continue to enhance the competitiveness of their robotics business while pursuing synergy effects."

Industry observers expect that as Hyundai Motor Group strengthens its control over Boston Dynamics, the Group's physical AI strategy, including robotics, will advance to a new stage. The development and mass production of robots, including the humanoid Atlas, as well as external collaborations and deployment in factories, are anticipated to gain significant momentum.

Hyundai Motor Group previously announced plans to sequentially deploy Atlas at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) and the Kia Georgia plant, verifying applications by each process stage. From 2028, Atlas will be involved in sequencing tasks for parts sorting to secure on-site operational validation and reliability, with the scope of work expanding to parts assembly beginning in 2030.

Yonhap News

Boston Dynamics has recently strengthened its position as a leading robotics company by unveiling a series of physical AI technologies. On July 5 (local time), Atlas successfully delivered the match ball to the referee during halftime of the Brazil vs. Norway round of 16 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, and even performed various goal celebrations modeled after football players.

Atlas also demonstrated its ability to stably lift a compact refrigerator weighing up to 23 kilograms and transfer it to a table, proving not only its full-body control capabilities required for real-world tasks but also its ability to manipulate external objects.

A Hyundai Motor Group representative commented, "We aim to expand human potential by developing robots into partners for human progress based on safety- and quality-focused physical AI. We are committed to realizing manufacturing innovation, establishing a global robotics ecosystem, and expanding the future industrial ecosystem where robotics, AI, energy, and other sectors are linked organically."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.