In other words, Hyundai’s humanoid robots will be used to help build more Atlas-era robots. This transition represents the most meaningful progress yet in the realm of industrial automation. Boston Dynamics have produced humanoids for general industrial use. They’ll be employed at a new electric vehicles manufacturing plant in Ellabell, Georgia, from 2028 on. These humanoid robots will serve next to human employees. They’ll self-supervise machines and eventually progress to other functions as they seep into the fabric of production.
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Hyundai announced Atlas. Through this collaboration, they proved its mind-boggling capabilities and exciting applications to the automotive industry. Hyundai is bringing these humanoids to help execute its new strategy of doubling car creation in the United States. Meanwhile, the company has doubled down on its own investment in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Chief Executive José Muñoz has made clear that these moves are critical to the company’s long-term success.
The announcement comes at a time when Hyundai is dealing with increasingly complex labor issues as well as the larger question of investment in the U.S. When U.S. immigration officers raided one of the company’s plants in September 2025, the workers stayed organized. This collision raised alarming issues about foreign investment and questionable labor practices. This raid caused considerable anger within South Korea, especially because workers were reported to have been shackled during the bust. José Muñoz and President Lee Jae Myung delivered stern warnings. They pointed out the damaging chilling effect this is having on foreign investments in the U.S. Fortunately, a bilateral agreement negotiated between Washington and Seoul later that month permitted the release of the undocumented workers seized.
José Muñoz and their commitment to ensuring that Hyundai makes the most of all their investments for the benefit of the U.S. economy. Along the way, he’s pledged to improve working conditions at the company’s factories. Atlas humanoids are the centerpiece of this dream. They promise to increase productivity and enhanced safety in manufacturing workplaces.
Hyundai’s significant investment in humanoid robots puts the company in direct competition with competitors such as Tesla. Tesla, meanwhile, has poured billions into developing its own humanoid robot, called Optimus. The competition highlights a growing trend in the industry toward integrating advanced robotics to streamline production processes and reduce reliance on manual labor.