Boston Dynamics opens Hyundai robotics center for Atlas

Boston Dynamics has officially opened its Robotics Metaplant Application Center at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America outside Savannah, Georgia. The center, which began pilot operations in June, is now in full-scale operation as a test bed for integrating Atlas humanoid robots into Hyundai's automotive manufacturing lines.

According to the company, the facility marks the next step in deploying humanoids and other robots across the automaker's global operations. Boston Dynamics became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai in July.

Training for repetitive and heavy tasks

The primary function of the new center is to train Atlas robots to handle specific manufacturing duties. Over the next few years, the focus will be on automating repetitive parts sequencing and heavy-lifting tasks. The long-term goal is to have the humanoids performing component assembly by 2030.

Zack Jackowski, chief product and technology officer at Boston Dynamics, outlined the strategy in a statement. "We have established a clear strategy to optimize our supply chain, production, testing, and deployment capabilities for Atlas," he said. "RMAC reinforces our shared ambition to create a future where robots amplify human potential by making work safer and more productive."

Hyundai's manufacturing robotics strategy

The robotics center is a key component of a larger manufacturing strategy Hyundai unveiled in January. The plan aims to restructure factory environments so humans can work safely alongside advanced, AI-driven robots. Hyundai initially plans to deploy 25,000 Atlas units across its global plants, including Kia factories, in the coming years.

The automaker also stated it will establish a U.S. Facility with the capacity to produce 30,000 robots annually. A specific location for this production plant was not disclosed.

Boston Dynamics' expansion plans are already advancing. The company will move into a new, larger building at the Hyundai Metaplant America site. This move will increase the size of its test bed and training center by a factor of ten.

Broader industry applications and competition

Beyond automotive manufacturing, Boston Dynamics is looking to explore applications for Atlas in other industrial sectors starting next year. The company mentioned aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, food and beverage, and life sciences as potential fields. It is also in talks with existing customers of its Spot quadruped and Stretch mobile robots about scaling data collection to aid Atlas's training in 2027.

Hyundai is not alone in its push for factory robotics. The Toyota Group has confirmed its own ambitious plans. A company spokesperson stated Toyota aims to deploy close to 400,000 robots to update its aging factories and supplier network.

The deployment breakdown and timeline provided by Eric Booth, general manager of corporate communications at Toyota North America, are shown below.

Booth noted this total includes the replacement of existing robots as well as new units like humanoids. He did not provide details on robotics suppliers or specific U.S. Deployment locations. A Reuters report estimated Toyota's factory automation efforts could cost up to $6.4 billion per year.