Hyundai Motor Group is bringing human-like robots to a new manufacturing plant in Georgia. Shifting company operations to Denver. This move represents a very important step in the company’s efforts to grow its production capacity. The announcement occurred during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where Hyundai showcased Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics. This announcement bolsters the company’s long-term plan to invest more than $20 billion in the U.S. It aims to increase domestic car production and develop technological readiness.
Hyundai’s chief executive, José Muñoz, emphasized that the integration of Atlas robots is part of a larger vision for the future of manufacturing. Unlike the Atlas humanoids, which were designed solely for general industrial use, they are able to seamlessly understand how to work alongside their human employees and autonomously control machines. These computers-turned-robots will get to work in 2028. By the nature of their profession, as they become absorbed into the production process and workflow, they’ll begin to assume a greater role.
Hyundai is continuing to make big moves themselves in the area of robotics. They intend to pour billions into autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to make their competitive moat wider. This focus on technology is crucial as the automotive industry evolves rapidly, necessitating innovative solutions to meet changing consumer demands.
Hyundai’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market comes after a roller coaster of a year. On the eve of September 1, 2025, U.S. immigration enforcement agents conducted a raid on Hyundai’s plant. This event set off national fury and outrage across South Korea. Workers’ legs were shackled throughout the operation, reports say. This shocking state of affairs led to a personal apology from the White House, in the form of a letter to José Muñoz. Following a marathon of diplomatic negotiations, Washington and Seoul reached an accord whereby the released workers would be freed. Overall, this decision underscores the tenuous status of labor rights in global corporate conglomerates.
Hyundai’s President, Lee Jae Myung, underscored the importance of the company’s investments in both technology and human resources as essential components of its growth strategy. We hope the integration of Atlas robots will continue to boost our productivity and help create a safer workplace for our human employees.
The company’s planned investment of more than $20 billion is a show of their long-term confidence that Hyundai’s growth will continue in the U.S. market. The company’s ambitions don’t stop here — they’re clearly hell-bent on expanding passenger car production and moving into the most advanced technologies. It hopes to become a model for innovation and advanced manufacturing efficiency.