[CES 2026] Boston Dynamics Atlas Named 'Best Robot'

Selected by CNET, an Official CES Partner
Praised for Human-Like Gait and Design
"Undoubtedly the Best Humanoid of the Year"

On January 8 (local time), Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot 'Atlas', developed by Hyundai Motor Group's robotics affiliate, was awarded the 'Best Robot' prize in the 'Best of CES 2026' by global IT media outlet CNET at the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2026.

CNET, the official partner for selecting the 'Best of CES', is a global technology media group that includes CNET, PCMag, Mashable, ZDNET, and Lifehacker.

Hyundai Motor Group affiliate robotics company Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot 'Atlas' and quadruped robot 'Spot'. Hyundai Motor Group

CNET highly praised Atlas for its natural, human-like walking ability and sophisticated design, selecting it as the 'Best Robot' of CES 2026. The outlet especially noted that the next-generation robot, designed for collaboration with humans, demonstrated the group's vision for human-centered AI robotics.

CNET stated, "Atlas was by far the best among the many humanoid robots we saw at CES 2026," adding, "The prototype demonstrated at the exhibition left a strong impression with its natural gait, and the product version, which is close to mass production, is now ready to be deployed at Hyundai Motor Group's manufacturing plants starting this year."

Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, said, "Atlas is the most advanced robot we have ever developed, and this award signifies that our efforts to bring the world's best humanoid to market are coming to fruition."

On the 5th (local time), one day before the opening of the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2026, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the 'Next-Generation Electric Atlas' for the first time on stage at the Hyundai Motor Group Media Day held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA. Hyundai Motor Group

Atlas is at the core of Hyundai Motor Group's 'AI Robotics' strategy, unveiled in Las Vegas on January 5, with the 'next-generation electric Atlas development model' being introduced for the first time at CES 2026. This model is designed to adapt to a variety of work environments.

As an industrial robot, this model is capable of learning most tasks within a day. When the battery runs low, it is designed to autonomously visit a charging station, replace its battery, and resume work. With 56 degrees of freedom (DoF), most joints can rotate fully, and its human-sized hands are equipped with tactile sensors. A 360-degree camera enables easy environmental awareness. The robot performs optimally in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 40 degrees Celsius and features waterproofing for easy cleaning.

Atlas was recently trialed at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, USA, for tasks such as lifting objects and car bodies. Starting in 2028, it will be introduced for sequencing tasks to sort parts at HMGMA. From 2030, its scope will expand to include parts assembly, and ultimately, it will take on highly repetitive or physically and mentally demanding precision tasks, such as handling heavy objects.