[CES 2026] Hyundai Motor Group Declares 'Human-Centered Robotics'... Partners with Google on AI Collaboration

Declaration of a New Era of Human-Robot Collaboration Ahead of CES
First Public Unveiling of the Humanoid Robot 'Atlas'
Parts Sorting in 2028, Parts Assembly in 2030
Securing Advanced Technologies with Google DeepMind
Mass Production o

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its "AI Robotics" strategy, moving beyond hardware-focused robotics to a vision where humans and robots collaborate. In this approach, robots will take on tasks in industrial settings that involve high levels of mental and physical fatigue, such as parts sorting and assembly, while humans will perform safer, higher value-added roles. This aims to create a coexistence between humans and robots.

On the 5th (local time), one day before the opening of the world's largest home appliance and information technology (IT) exhibition, CES 2026, the next-generation electric Atlas prototype (left) and the Atlas development model were unveiled on stage at the Hyundai Motor Group press conference held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Joint coverage. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Additionally, the group plans to accelerate the transformation of future industries by partnering with leading AI companies such as Google DeepMind. The goal is to jointly research AI models from the ground up and secure cutting-edge technology for complex robot control.

On January 5, 2026 (local time), at the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2026, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor Group hosted a media day under the theme "AI Robotics, From Lab to Life: Partnering Human Progress," declaring a shift toward human-centered AI robotics.

The Era of Robotics Collaborating with Humans in Industrial Settings

At CES 2026, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled for the first time the "next-generation electric Atlas prototype" and the "next-generation electric Atlas product," both designed for collaboration between humans and robots in manufacturing environments. The prototype is an early model developed to test core functions required for future products, featuring 360-degree rotating joints and natural walking capabilities.

The product model, built for industrial use, is capable of learning most tasks within a day. When the battery runs low, it is designed to autonomously go to a charging station, replace its battery, and resume work. With 56 degrees of freedom (DoF), most joints can rotate fully, and the hand-similar in size to a human's-is equipped with tactile sensors and a 360-degree camera for easy environmental awareness. It delivers full performance in environments ranging from -20 to 40℃ (-4 to 104℉) and is waterproof for easy cleaning.

Boston Dynamics 'Atlas'

Starting in 2028, Atlas will be first deployed for sequencing tasks in parts sorting at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA). By 2030, its scope will expand to parts assembly, and ultimately, it will take on precision tasks that involve high levels of mental and physical fatigue. Humans will be responsible for high value-added work, such as training and managing the robots.

This year's CES features hands-on demonstrations showcasing how robots are used in daily life and workspaces. Visitors can see the prototype model performing sequencing tasks and experience changes in everyday life through the next-generation mobility robot platform "MobED." Demonstrations also include the automatic EV charging robot and Hyundai Wia's parking robot, which assists with parking in tight spaces.

Partnerships with Leading AI Companies Like Google and NVIDIA

Google DeepMind 'Gemini Robotics'

Hyundai Motor Group has begun collaborating with leading AI companies to secure world-class technology. The group's robotics subsidiary, Boston Dynamics, announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to accelerate the development of future humanoid technologies. Google DeepMind is advancing its robot AI foundation model "Gemini Robotics" based on its generative AI model "Gemini." This enables robots to perceive, reason, use tools, and interact naturally with humans, regardless of their form or size.

The two companies plan to accelerate the transformation of future industries by integrating advanced robotics and AI technologies. They aim to develop AI models for complex robot control to enable the practical adoption of highly useful humanoids.

Zachary Jackowski, Head of Atlas Development at Boston Dynamics, said, "The convergence of robotics and AI is more than just technological progress; it is innovation that makes human life safer and more prosperous. This strategic collaboration will be a step toward redefining the future industrial paradigm."

Carolina Parada, Head of Robotics at Google DeepMind, stated, "We will continue to develop new models to expand the impact of robots and ensure their safe and efficient deployment."

Previously, in January last year, Hyundai Motor Group also established a strategic partnership with NVIDIA. By actively utilizing NVIDIA's AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, and frameworks, the group plans to accelerate innovation. Recently, the Ministry of Science and ICT, Hyundai Motor Group, and NVIDIA signed a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Advancing Domestic Physical AI Capabilities," further strengthening AI capabilities.

AI Robotics Ecosystem Powered by Group-Wide Capabilities

Hyundai Motor Group also plans to pool the capabilities of its affiliates to build an AI robotics ecosystem. Hyundai Motor and Kia will provide manufacturing infrastructure, process control, and production data; Hyundai Mobis will focus on developing precision actuators; and Hyundai Glovis will optimize logistics and supply chain flows. Leveraging the group's manufacturing expertise and global mass production experience, the goal is to establish a system capable of producing 30,000 robots annually by 2028.

Autonomous Driving Mobility Robot Platform 'MobED' Awarded Best Innovation in Robotics at CES 2026

On this day, Hyundai Motor Group introduced the "Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS)" subscription model as a plan for commercializing AI robotics. By paying a subscription fee, customers can receive robot management, maintenance, and updates without purchasing robots outright, reducing initial costs and lowering barriers to entry.

The deployment of robots in industrial settings will expand beyond automobiles to other manufacturing sectors such as construction, logistics, facility management, and energy. Currently, the quadruped robot "Spot" and the logistics robot "Stretch" are being used by companies like Intel, Michelin, and DHL.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group will make a record domestic investment of 125.2 trillion won over the next five years, from this year through 2030. This investment will focus on the robotics sector, driven by advancements in AI technology. In addition, from 2025, the group will invest $26 billion (37.7 trillion won) over four years in the United States to expand collaboration with local companies possessing future technologies such as robotics, AI, and autonomous driving.