Most impressive to us was Hyundai Motor Group’s recent announcement to deploy humanoid robots to its Georgia manufacturing plant. This decision represents an important leap ahead in bringing complex, innovative technology to automobile manufacturing. The company showcased its humanoid robot, Atlas, developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas on Monday. This new effort will help increase domestic EV car production. At the same time, it places a lot of emphasis on big bucks investments in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
The deployment of these Atlas robots is scheduled to start in 2028. At first, these humanoids will operate and support human workers, taking over more advanced workflows as their skillsets progress. Specifically designed for high-mix, low-volume industrial applications, Atlas intends to take the lead on autonomous machine tending, supporting improvements in production efficiency across Hyundai’s manufacturing operations.
When asked about this during a recent interview, Hyundai’s chief executive, José Muñoz, stressed that this was the most important investment. He noted that the company plans to spend more than $20 billion (£15.5 billion) in the U.S. Together, these investments will be completed by 2025. This investment is in the spirit of President Donald Trump’s efforts to strengthen and expand the country’s manufacturing base.
Muñoz dropped another huge bombshell. So much so that in November, he got a personal call from the White House, apologizing for a September 2025 raid on Hyundai’s plant by US immigration officers. This incident raised both specific and generalized fears about the US erecting new barriers to foreign investment. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung joined Muñoz in warning against its potential fallout.
The raid not only shackled workers’ legs but sparked a movement that ravaged the country of Korea. This incident of an alleged kidnapping prompted urgent discussions between Washington and Seoul about the release of these detained employees. The episode highlighted the precarious state of international investment protections versus labor rights.
Hyundai’s introduction to robotics follows similar strides taken by other competitors within the automotive world. Elon Musk’s Tesla has truly bet the farm on its humanoid robot, Optimus. This decision further underscores a major theme we’re seeing from car manufacturers—the increasing use of robotics in their manufacturing strategies.