Beijing (Gasgoo)- Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled a transformative AI robotics strategy at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), setting "Cooperation to Advance Humanity" as its theme and laying out a roadmap for human–robot collaboration. The plan aims to evolve hardware-led robotics into adaptive, AI-driven machines that amplify human potential.
Image: Hyundai Motor
To realize that vision, Hyundai plans to leverage its value chain and product portfolio to position itself as a human-centered leader in physical AI. Physical AI refers to the tangible implementation of technologies that use hardware to collect data and make autonomous decisions in real-world environments — spanning robots, smart factories and autonomous driving.
Hyundai will acquire the data needed to deploy physical AI across every link of its value chain — from manufacturing and logistics to sales — and establish a continuous improvement loop to push the industry's expansion from mobility to robotics. The group will also advance the Hyundai Motor Group Physical AI Application Center and build a robot manufacturing and foundry facility centered on custom robot technologies developed through physical AI.
Specifically, Hyundai's AI robotics strategy rests on three foundational partnerships:
First, enabling people to work alongside collaborative robots designed to assist with hazardous and repetitive tasks in settings such as manufacturing.
Boston Dynamics' four-legged robot Spot is already deployed in more than 40 countries for data collection and safety monitoring, while its warehouse robot Stretch has unloaded more than 20 million boxes worldwide since its 2023 launch — reshaping warehouse automation by taking on labor-intensive work in harsh conditions.
Image: Hyundai Motor
At CES, Boston Dynamics' humanoid Atlas took center stage, showcasing its potential for industrial use. Atlas features 56 degrees of freedom and tactile-sensing hands, and can autonomously handle tasks such as material sorting, assembly and machine maintenance. It is designed to be easy to train, capable of autonomous operation, and robust.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to integrate Atlas across its global manufacturing network, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, and expand deployment in phases: starting with part sorting from 2028, extending to component assembly by 2030, and ultimately taking on more complex operations.
Second, building a Group Value Network with Boston Dynamics that blends the latter's AI robotics expertise with Hyundai's global scale and manufacturing capability to create safe training grounds and an end-to-end (E2E) AI robotics value chain.
Hyundai Motor Group is constructing the "Group Value Network," anchored by the E2E AI robotics value chain. It will leverage the group's world-class automotive production infrastructure, safety and reliability know-how, and the diverse technological capabilities of its affiliates to accelerate mass production and broaden service deployment.
Image: Hyundai Motor
Measures include: training Atlas extensively within Hyundai Motor Group's manufacturing environments to ensure safety readiness for real-world use; optimizing robot learning through software-defined factory and robot meta-factory application centers; coordinating with affiliates including Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Glovis to harness capabilities in manufacturing, parts production and logistics; and expanding integrated customer management services through increased investment and new ventures. On the service side, Hyundai is rolling out a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) subscription that provides software upgrades, remote monitoring and maintenance, with global partners including DHL, Nestle and Maersk.
Hyundai is targeting a scalable production system capable of building 30,000 robots a year by 2028.
Third, partnering with global AI leaders to advance innovation in AI robotics.
Image: Hyundai Motor
Beyond the Group Value Network, Boston Dynamics has announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to accelerate the development of next-generation humanoids. By combining cutting-edge robotics with advanced AI, Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind aim to usher in a new era of robotics research.
Notably, Hyundai Motor Group also said it will invest 125.2 trillion won in Korea over the next five years starting in 2026, with a focus on AI-powered robotics to secure future growth engines and build an innovative robotics ecosystem in the country.
