Hyundai Plans to Deploy 30,000 Humanoid Robots in Car Plants

The South Korean car maker Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car plants. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put through its paces on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its arms, marched around like a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance.

Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching."