Hyundai might become the first automaker to deploy tens of thousands of robots to work at US facilities. The Korean automaker is all set to use robots built by Boston Dynamics to put these robots to make its cars.
This rather radical move is a part of Hyundai’s big picture investment of $21 billion on US soil. The company plans to buy a whole lot of them through 2028 to get a strong hold in AI and robotics.
Boston Dynamics is famous for its robot dog Spot, and Hyundai actively uses it to do industrial inspections. Hyundai acquired a US-based robotics firm in 2021 and has made numerous tie-ups with other automation firms. Although the automaker says that they will only assist in the tasks assigned to them to improve productivity, it would be interesting to see their usefulness.
Here’s everything we know so far!
A Robotic Revolution Is Here
Hyundai plans to deploy a big chunk of Atlas robots in its new Georgia-based auto manufacturing unit. With this radical move, Hyundai is planning to give a boost to its production speed and make it more efficient.
You might have seen that robot dog from Boston Dynamics strolling within the Georgia facility on social media. Hyundai marketed the canine-like robot to speak about the future safety tech in Hyundai. Another favorite among those social media videos is Atlas, the humanoid robot walking, running, and whatnot. This is the same robot that you saw doing parkour in an old video from 2021.
The Georgia-based production plant is crucial for Hyundai’s presence in the US, as it expects to build 1.2 million vehicles per year from here. The Korean automaker plans to produce as many as 500,000 EVs and hybrid vehicles from the factory.
Robotic Intelligence To Counter Global Challenges
Hyundai is pushing to maintain efficiency as well as its footprint in American markets. It’s Georgia-based Metaplant is one of the largest projects in Georgia that took more than two years to complete.
Hyundai expects that its $21 billion U.S. investment will directly create 14,000 new jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs, while reshaping how cars are produced. However, there is a rising concern about robots taking over physical jobs, but the future indeed looks like the robotic era is near. One Reddit user commented on the issue, saying that the job of 100 humans would be replaced by 1 supervisor and 100 robots.
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In fact, according to a report by Goldman Sachs, the humanoid robots market will become a $ 38 billion industry by 2035.
The giant auto facility named Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, or HMGMA, would greatly benefit from robotics-driven production of cars. Hyundai is planning to take full advantage of the facility to serve as a testbed for robots to run the production system based on a robotic supply chain. They’ve already earmarked $6 billion to invest in robotics innovation, mobility, AI, and other automation partnerships.
Atlas Vs Tesla Optimus
Hyundai’s high-profile robot rollout naturally invites comparisons to EV giant Tesla’s Optimus. Tesla’s Optimus remains in the prototype and early testing phase, with limited demonstrations of tasks like walking, folding laundry, or handling small objects. Elon Musk has stated his goal is to produce 1000 Optimus by the end of 2025, but mass deployment is still far.
Still In Early Stage?
Tesla Optimus, last in the “We Robot” event, is still far behind in the robotics race. Grok AI even placed Tesla Optimus in the fifth place in the top 5 robots. BTW, Boston Dynamics Atlas was the number one! One Reddit user mocked Tesla on how they would have introduced such news.
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What To Expect In The Future?
Hyundai is spot-on in being early to invest big in the future of robotic automation for its Metaplant. Hyundai believes robots will play a big role in its future. Hyundai’s Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang said that Boston Dynamics and its robots will be instrumental in reaching Hyundai’s goals.
While other car companies like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz also test robots in factories, Hyundai has an edge over them. It owns Boston Dynamics.
Hyundai can build and use its own robots instead of buying them from other robotic firms. Boston Dynamics’ CEO even said Hyundai will become their biggest customer, showing how closely they are working together on this. They even have an AI institute to accelerate development in AI.
Bottomline
Hyundai is planning to go binge on a robotic revolution as a part of their $21 billion investment in the US. They are planning to use $6 billion out of this to develop automation, AI, and robotics by 2028. The plan is to achieve their goals by partnering with tech firms to deploy their humanoid Atlas.
Hyundai’s going deeper into robotics comes at a rather strategic time. With rising global manufacturing costs and growing demands for vehicles, building and assembling cars locally with the help of robots would be cost-efficient for Hyundai.
