Hyundai Motor Group announced it will begin installing Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoid robots at its Metaplant America facility in Georgia in 2028, with a goal of deploying more than 25,000 units across U.S. plants by that year. The move aims to boost productivity and address labor shortages, while critics warn it could reshape the automotive workforce.

25,000 Atlas Units Planned for U.S. Assembly Lines

Hyundai intends to integrate over 25,000 Atlas robots into its Hyundai Motor and Kia production lines,targeting a start‑up date in 2028 at the Georgia plant. According to the company’s announcement, the robots will be built in the United States with an annual output capacity of 30,000 units, ensuring a steady supply for future expansion.

Atlas Specs: 5‑ft‑9‑in, 195‑lb Humanoid Designed for Heavy Lifting

The Atlas models slated for deployment stand 5 feet 9 inches tall and weigh 195 pounds, allowing them to navigate spaces built for human workers. Boston Dynamics demonstrated the robot’s ability to squat , lift a 25‑pound mini‑fridge, rotate its torso and maintain balance, showcasing the proprioceptive sensors that let it adjust grip pressure and posture in real time.

Hyundai’s Production Plan for 300,000 Actuator Units

To support the robot fleet, Hyundai will manufacture more than 300,000 actuator components annually in the United States,a figure that reflects the company’s desire to control a critical supply chain element... The new Atlas design uses symmetrical limbs and only two actuator types, a simplification that Hyundai says will improve reliability on the factory floor.

Labor Shortages vs. Job Displacement: The Workforce Question

Hyundai markets the robots as a solution to chronic labor shortages, arguing that Atlas will take on physically demanding tasks such as lifting heavy components and moving awkward objects, thereby reducing worker fatigue and injury. However, the company has not released a detailed retraining program, leaving many employees uncertain about future roles in robot maintenance, software supervision, or safety oversight.

What Remains Unclear About the Automation Rollout?

Key unknowns include the timeline for worker upskilling, the exact cost per robot, and how Hyundai will measure safety improvements versus potential layoffs.. The report notes that while Hyundai emphasizes augmentation over replacement, the scale of 25,000 humanoids could still shift the balance of labor in ways that are not yet quantified.