[Why&Next] Hyundai Motor Group Leads 'Physical AI'... Atlas to Begin Client Pilots Next Year

Humanoid Robots Set to Enter Manufacturing Sites
First Deployment at HMGMA Plant This Year
Scheduled for Introduction at Kia Georgia Plant in 2029

Starting next year, Boston Dynamics will begin pilot testing of its humanoid robot “Atlas” for external clients, not just Hyundai Motor Group. The moment is fast approaching when Atlas, known for lifting heavy refrigerators and showcasing athletic abilities by performing tricks with a soccer ball, will be put to use on industrial sites.

Boston Dynamics humanoid robot 'Atlas'. Boston Dynamics

The commercialization of humanoid robots is also expected to have symbolic significance for Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung’s declaration to transform into a “physical AI (artificial intelligence) solutions company.” Global automakers are also fueling the physical AI race by actively deploying humanoid robots in their factories.

According to industry sources on July 28, Boston Dynamics recently announced plans to start real-world verification of “Atlas” for clients outside Hyundai Motor Group beginning next year.

Mario Bellini, Head of Human Robot Interaction (HRI) at Boston Dynamics, stated in a company webinar held on July 22, “We plan to conduct the first test outside Hyundai Motor Group next year,” and added, “Within the next two to three years, we hope to move beyond the ‘proof of concept (PoC)’ phase and transition to pilot (test operation) stage.” He also explained, “We are currently ramping up production at our plant in Waltham, and are preparing for mass production in cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group’s manufacturing partners.”

Boston Dynamics employees are developing the humanoid robot "Atlas." Boston Dynamics

Atlas is set to make its first deployment in the second half of this year at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) facility in the United States. At HMGMA, Atlas will first undergo process-specific validation. Beginning in 2028, Atlas will be used for sequencing operations to classify parts; after site operation verifications and reliability are secured, its tasks will be expanded to parts assembly starting in 2030.

There are also plans to introduce Atlas to the Kia Georgia plant in 2029. However, until now, whether Atlas would be deployed to external (non-affiliated) clients remained undisclosed.

If phased validation within Hyundai Motor Group and pilot implementation at external corporate sites progress simultaneously, the commercialization of humanoid robots is expected to advance much more rapidly. Once Atlas passes field verification at an external client, its adoption could accelerate at other manufacturing sites as well.

In particular, Atlas is being developed strictly for industrial use. Bellini emphasized that, “We did not aim for Atlas to resemble humans or to serve as a friendly household robot,” adding, “It was designed as an ‘industrial tool’ for transporting heavy objects in settings such as automotive production plants.” He also noted that Atlas is being engineered to sustain continuous operation for over three years in line with industrial equipment standards.

Global manufacturing corporations are also actively pushing to deploy robots on production sites. Tesla has shut down its Model S and Model X lines at the Fremont plant and converted them for production of the humanoid robot “Optimus,” planning to produce about 50,000 units for internal use this year. External sales are projected to begin after mass production ramps up next year.

Boston Dynamics humanoid robot 'Atlas' is accurately recognizing and organizing parts through a camera. Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot 'Atlas' is demonstrating moving a refrigerator. Photo by Boston Dynamics

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada also signed a contract this February with Agility Robotics, a developer of humanoid robots, to introduce the robot “Digit.” According to Goldman Sachs, the global humanoid robot market is forecasted to surge from $1.5 billion (about 2 trillion won) in 2025 to $37.8 billion (about 56 trillion won) by 2035.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand its robot manufacturing bases in both the U.S. and Korea to coincide with the timeline for Atlas’s production line deployment. Boston Dynamics is currently investing $100 million in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics hub. By 2028, it aims to build a robot production system in the U.S. capable of manufacturing 30,000 units annually.

Within Korea, 9 trillion won is being invested to create the Saemangeum AI Valley in the Saemangeum region of North Jeolla Province, encompassing an AI data center, robot manufacturing cluster, water electrolysis plant, and AI hydrogen city. Within this, the robot manufacturing cluster will play a dual role: it will produce in-house robot products and serve as a robot foundry to contract-manufacture products for small and medium-sized enterprises lacking manufacturing know-how.

Starting with robot development, progressing through verification, pilot operation, and ultimately mass production, Hyundai Motor Group’s “physical AI transformation” is also expected to accelerate. Chairman Euisun Chung declared at the “San Francisco AI Summit” held on July 24, “We will pursue the transformation into a physical AI solutions company, encompassing autonomous driving, robotics, AI factories, and more.”

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