Hyundai Motor Group intends to order “tens of thousands” of Boston Dynamics robots to aid in manufacturing its new Metaplant America, based outside of Savannah, Georgia.
The move is part of a larger partnership between the two to “build a vibrant robotics ecosystem in the U.S.” Boston Dynamics wrote in a press release. The large Hyundai order will enable Boston Dynamics to integrate its manufacturing capabilities, making it one of the leading manufacturers of advanced mobile robots in the world.
Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021 at the cost of $1.1 billion.
Boston Dynamics offers three robots for purchase. Spot, a dog-like robot, can be seen working to inspect vehicles on Hyundai’s assembly line at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA). In the future, Atlas, a humanoid robot, will work at the company’s manufacturing facilities across the world.
Boston Dynamics
“Atlas will be deployed later this year in Hyundai’s Metaplant outside Savannah. We are excited to start with part sequencing, putting Atlas to work in manufacturing facilities and opening up the future of manipulation tasks,” a Boston Dynamics spokesperson told Newsweek.
Hyundai isn’t the only company exploring the use of humanoid robots at its plants. Mercedes-Benz recently revealed its partnership with Apptronik, a U.S.-based company. Mercedes is testing the use of humanoid robot Apollo at its Digital Factory Campus (MBDFC) in Berlin-Marienfelde.
Apollo is the first commercial humanoid robot designed for friendly interaction, mass manufacturability, high payloads and safety, Apptronik touts.
Exact use cases for Hyundai Motor Group’s Atlas use are still unknown. Mercedes’ initial testing with Apollo focuses on production, with the robots performing repetitive tasks within internal logistics operations, transporting components or modules to the production line. The company’s skilled human workers then assemble and conduct initial quality checks on the transported items.
Jörg Burzer, a member of the Management Board Mercedes-Benz Group AG Production, Quality & Supply Chain, told Newsweek that Apollo robots are designed to work beside assembly line workers, not replace them.
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull/Newsweek
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Hyundai also plans to use the robots alongside its human workforce. “We have engineered the production process to have a mix of automated processes led by our team members to ensure the highest quality vehicles are built in the safest and most ergonomic way possible,” a Hyundai spokesperson told Newsweek.
When questioned about the cost of each Apollo robot, Burzer said that the company will pay less than $100,000 each for them. How much Hyundai will pay for Spot and Atlas is unknown.
In addition to Hyundai Motor Group, Boston Dynamics has robots working for Gap Inc., InBev and POSCO, a South Korean steel manufacturer.