On the 5th (local time) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, United States. When the curtain on the left side of the stage lifted, Hyundai Motor Group's Humanoid Robot "Atlas" appeared. After walking naturally to the center of the stage and raising a hand to greet the audience, Atlas strode to the front of the stage. It rotated its face and torso 360 degrees, then in turn showed movements as if picking up an object placed high and lifting one from the floor.
Ahead of CES 2026, the world's largest electronics show, the hottest moment at Hyundai Motor Group's media day that day was Atlas, developed by subsidiary Boston Dynamics. As Atlas moved, applause and cheers erupted from the audience of about 810 people. Showing a humanlike gait and more flexible movements than humans, Atlas is a "research model." The demonstration wrapped up as the research Atlas introduced the "development model" of Atlas, designed in blue and black.
Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon of Hyundai Motor Group said at a press briefing after the media day that the group will speed up efforts to commercialize robots. Jang said, "More important than the robot technology itself is how it operates in the field," adding, "Verifying it in manufacturing and logistics sites and creating synergy across the group's value chain is the starting point for commercialization."
Atlas will be deployed starting in 2028 at Hyundai Motor Group's Meta Plant America (HMGMA), a dedicated eco-friendly vehicle plant in Georgia, United States. While it will move parts or place cars on the assembly line, starting in 2030 it is also slated to be used in final vehicle assembly.
Robert Playter, chief executive officer (CEO) of Boston Dynamics, said, "It is important to build robots while maintaining safety, and factories are the most suitable place to start," adding, "After using robots in factories, we should move into areas that provide services to humans, such as older adults or children."
The strategic partnership between Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind is cited as a key element in robot commercialization. Vice Chairman Jang said, "The core (of the partnership between the two companies) is how to mass-produce and commercialize humanoids," explaining, "It is important to have a structure that combines Hyundai Motor Group's manufacturing capabilities, Boston Dynamics' robot technology, and Google DeepMind's AI."
Hyundai Motor Group also stressed that it is not a latecomer in Robotics. CEO Playter said, "Boston Dynamics is currently selling robots such as 'Spot,'" adding, "We have already entered the stage of mass-producing robots, and Atlas is likewise a product premised on large-scale deployment."
As for concerns that Humanoid Robots could take human jobs in the future, they countered that robots will instead show many advantages in collaborating with humans. Vice Chairman Jang said, "People will avoid simply repetitive work or dangerous tasks," adding, "By deploying robots in these areas, we are continually seeking answers on how the entire group will move in a direction that creates new jobs."