Hyundai Motor Group plans to implement Boston Dynamics’ robotic line, together with its Atlas humanoid, Spot quadruped, and Stretch trailer-unloading robots. | Supply: Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics Inc. and Hyundai Motor Group yesterday introduced plans to deepen their partnership, which incorporates Hyundai buying “tens of 1000’s” of robots within the coming years. The automaker may also assist Boston Dynamics develop by integrating its manufacturing capabilities with Boston Dynamics.
Hyundai stated it’s already deploying Spot robots for industrial inspection and predictive upkeep at its services. The Seoul, South Korea-based firm plans to deploy Atlas throughout its factories.
“Boston Dynamics and robotics AI will play a vital function in attaining the group’s aim,” said Jaehoon Chang, vice chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “Bodily AI and humanoid robots will rework our enterprise panorama to the following degree. By means of our collaboration, we’ll expedite the method to attain management within the robotics trade.”
Final week, Hyundai Motor Group introduced that it’s going to make investments $21 billion within the U.S., together with a $6 billion funding to drive innovation and broaden strategic partnerships with U.S. firms.
Earlier this yr, Boston Dynamics introduced new partnerships with NVIDIA, Google Deepmind, the Toyota Analysis Institute, and sister firm, the Robotics & AI Institute (RAI), to work on bettering its robots.
Boston Dynamics launched an electrical model of its Atlas robotic in April 2024. On the time, the Waltham, Mass.-based firm stated it might start testing Atlas with Hyundai and different choose companions in 2025. The up to date legged robotic earned Boston Dynamics a RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award.
Humanoids race to real-world deployments
When Atlas is formally working in Hyundai services, Boston Dynamics will be a part of a small group of humanoid builders which have begun industrial deployments. The humanoid robotic market has grown more and more crowded lately.
In 2024, GXO formally deployed a “small fleet” of Digit humanoids from Agility Robotics at a Spanx facility in Georgia. Later, Schaeffler AG made a minority funding into Agility and deliberate to purchase Digit robots to be used throughout its international plant community. These marked the primary paid deployments for humanoid robots.
Determine AI can be delivery its Determine 02 system to its first paying prospects. Whereas Determine has not revealed the identification of its first buyer, the corporate stated BMW Group had examined Determine 02 for dealing with fitted sheet-metal elements on its automotive manufacturing line for 2 weeks in Spartanburg, S.C.
Whereas it hasn’t introduced any paying prospects, Apptronik has agreements with trade leaders Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics to check its Apollo humanoid in real-world purposes.
By 2035, the worldwide marketplace for humanoid robots may develop to greater than $38 billion, in line with Goldman Sachs. Boston Dynamics stated it’s going to work with Hyundai to raised perceive its manufacturing wants and the place robots will help the automaker enhance productiveness and effectivity.
“Right this moment marks a pivotal second as a result of with its dedication and help, Hyundai Motor Group will grow to be our greatest buyer,” stated Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. “It is going to assist us to construct profitable AI insurance policies and also will unlock the group’s huge industrial relationships to assist set up strategic prospects for merchandise like Stretch, coming into into multi-lateral agreements through which we might ship robots, vehicles, and electrical automobiles collectively.”
Hyundai acquired Boston Dynamics from SoftBank in 2021 for $880 million.
Boston Dynamics to share Atlas insights at Robotics Summit
Humanoids shall be outstanding on the Robotics Summit & Expo, which shall be on April 30 and Might 1 in Boston and is produced by WTWH Media, father or mother group of The Robotic Report.
Aaron Saunders, chief expertise officer at Boston Dynamics, will open the summit with “Redesigning Atlas: Boston Dynamics on the Way forward for Humanoids.” Throughout this keynote, he’ll unpack the improvement and capabilities of the electrical model of Atlas and share insights from being on the forefront of humanoid improvement.
Saunders will discover the challenges and alternatives of constructing humanoids for real-world purposes. It is going to additionally supply a behind-the-scenes have a look at how Hyundai and Boston Dynamics proceed to push the frontier for robotics.
Along with Saunders’ opening keynote, the primary day of the occasion will characteristic a panel on the state of humanoids with Pras Velagapudi, chief expertise officer at Agility Robotics; Aaron Prather, director of robotics and autonomous techniques at ASTM Worldwide; and Al Makke, director of engineering at Schaeffler.
They’ll discover the technical and enterprise challenges shaping the event of humanoids. The panelists may also share insights from early deployments, the continued efforts to determine security requirements, and what’s on the horizon.
The Robotics Summit & Expo will deliver collectively greater than 5,000 builders centered on constructing robots for a wide range of industrial purposes. Attendees can achieve insights into the most recent enabling applied sciences, engineering finest practices, and rising tendencies.
The present will characteristic greater than 200 exhibitors, over 70 audio system on stage, and greater than 10 hours of devoted networking time. It is going to additionally embody a Ladies in Robotics Breakfast, a profession truthful, a startup showcase, and extra.
Returning to the present are the RBR50 Pavilion and RBR50 Awards Dinner, which can honor the winners of the annual RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards.
