Hyundai Mobis Strengthens Robotics Business with Launch of "Robotics Business Promotion Division"

Upgraded to Division-Level Organization
Full-Scale Entry into the Robot Component Market

Hyundai Mobis has elevated its robotics business unit to the status of a full-fledged division and has officially entered the robot component market. With Hyundai Motor Group planning to deploy humanoid robots on its production lines this year, the company aims to develop core components that function as the joints and muscles of humanoid robots, establishing a foundation for new growth.

According to industry sources on July 25, Hyundai Mobis, the parts affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, has established the "Robotics Business Promotion Division" dedicated to the research and development (R&D) of key components for humanoid robots. This move upgrades its previous robotics-related teams to a higher organizational level.

Previously, in 2021, Hyundai Mobis amended its articles of incorporation to include robotics as a business objective. In April, the company also disclosed to institutional investors that it was pursuing the commercialization of actuators.

Hyundai Mobis is focusing its capabilities on designing and developing "actuators," which serve as the joints and muscles of robots. Actuators consist of motors that convert electrical energy into rotational force, reducers that precisely control this rotational force, and controllers that coordinate the robot's movements. Each humanoid robot requires more than 40 actuators, and Hyundai Mobis is reportedly producing around 30 types of actuators that are installed in the robot's torso.

With this organizational upgrade, Hyundai Mobis plans to foster the robot component business as a future growth engine. As big tech companies join the humanoid robot race initiated by Tesla, the company aims to target the rapidly expanding component market. According to market research firm Global Market Insights, the global robot actuator market is projected to grow from $13.4 billion (18.5027 trillion KRW) in 2022 to $40 billion (55.232 trillion KRW) by 2032. A Hyundai Mobis representative stated, "We intend to make robot components one of our future growth drivers and will actively enter related industries."

Industry observers believe the company is aligning its pace with Boston Dynamics, the group's robotics developer, which has announced plans to commercialize its humanoid robot "Atlas" by 2028. Boston Dynamics plans to pilot Atlas at major production facilities, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in the United States, within this year.