Hyundai Motor Group made its boldest statement yet about the future of industrial automation at CES 2026, unveiling a sweeping robotics strategy backed by $26 billion in U.S. investments and a commitment to deploy 30,000 robots globally by 2028. The announcement positions the Korean conglomerate as a major player in the rapidly expanding robotics market.

The company's CES presentation, held on January 6, showcased live demonstrations of autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and AI-powered systems that Hyundai believes will transform industries from automotive manufacturing to logistics and healthcare.

A Massive Capital Commitment

The centerpiece of Hyundai's announcement is its financial commitment: $26 billion in U.S. investments over four years, starting in 2025. This capital will fund partnerships with leading American companies in robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and related technologies.

In parallel, the group announced an investment of 125.2 trillion Korean won (approximately $95 billion) in Korea over the next five years, with robotics and AI technologies as primary focus areas. The dual investment strategy reflects Hyundai's intention to build robotics capabilities on both sides of the Pacific.

"We are entering an era where robots will become as essential to industry as electricity. Hyundai Motor Group is positioning itself to lead this transformation, combining our manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies."

— Euisun Chung, Executive Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group

The 30,000 Robot Target

Perhaps the most concrete commitment: Hyundai plans to build and deploy 30,000 robots globally by 2028. This figure represents a dramatic scaling from the company's current robotics operations and would make Hyundai one of the largest robot manufacturers in the world.

To achieve this target, Hyundai plans to construct a major robotics manufacturing facility in the United States, though specific location and timeline details were not disclosed. The plant would produce humanoid robots, autonomous guided vehicles, and specialized industrial machines.

Boston Dynamics and Atlas Take Center Stage

Hyundai's robotics strategy is built around Boston Dynamics, the American robotics company it acquired in 2020. At CES 2026, Boston Dynamics demonstrated its latest Atlas humanoid robot, showcasing capabilities that far exceed previous iterations.

The new Atlas can operate fully autonomously, lift up to 110 pounds, and function in temperatures ranging from -4°F to 104°F. Critically, the robot can automatically replace its own battery, enabling continuous operation in industrial settings.

Hyundai revealed that Atlas will be trained to work in its automotive manufacturing plants, following a strategy similar to Tesla's approach with its Optimus humanoid. The company believes factory deployment will provide invaluable real-world data to refine the robot's capabilities before broader commercialization.

Google DeepMind Partnership

While Hyundai and Boston Dynamics develop the hardware, the software powering these machines will come from an unlikely partner: Google's DeepMind AI division. The partnership leverages DeepMind's "Gemini Robotics" foundation model, designed to enable robots to perceive, reason about, and interact with the physical world.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the convergence of AI and robotics. Foundation models like Gemini Robotics promise to give robots general-purpose intelligence, allowing them to adapt to new tasks without extensive reprogramming—a capability that could dramatically accelerate adoption.

MobED Wins Best of Innovation Award

Alongside the humanoid announcements, Hyundai's MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid) autonomous robot won the CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award in the Robotics category. MobED is a versatile platform designed for both indoor and outdoor navigation, featuring AI-driven autonomous navigation and a modular design.

Mass production of MobED will begin in Q1 2026, making it one of the first products from Hyundai's robotics push to reach the market. Applications include last-mile delivery, warehouse logistics, and accessibility assistance for individuals with mobility challenges.

Investment Implications

For investors, Hyundai's robotics pivot raises important questions about capital allocation and return timelines. The $26 billion U.S. investment commitment is substantial, representing a significant portion of the company's capital expenditure budget over the coming years.

Robotics analysts have noted that the market for humanoid robots and industrial automation is expanding rapidly. Goldman Sachs estimates the humanoid robot market alone could reach $38 billion by 2035, while the broader industrial robotics market is projected to exceed $150 billion by 2030.

Key Considerations for Investors

  • Execution risk: Scaling robotics manufacturing from hundreds to tens of thousands of units presents significant technical and operational challenges
  • Competition: Tesla, Amazon, and numerous startups are pursuing similar humanoid and logistics robots
  • Timeline: The 2028 target is aggressive, and delays are common in complex hardware development
  • Synergies: Integration with Hyundai's core automotive business could provide unique advantages in manufacturing automation

Broader CES Robotics Theme

Hyundai's announcement fits into a broader narrative emerging from CES 2026: robotics is no longer a futuristic concept but a near-term commercial reality. Nvidia, LG, Samsung, and numerous startups all showcased advanced robotics platforms during the show.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called the current moment the "ChatGPT moment for robotics," suggesting that breakthroughs in AI are finally enabling the kind of general-purpose robots that have long existed only in science fiction.

For Hyundai, the robotics push represents a strategic diversification beyond its core automotive business, which faces disruption from electrification and autonomous driving. If successful, the company could emerge as a dual powerhouse in both mobility and automation—a combination that few competitors can match.

As one industry analyst observed: "Hyundai is making a bet that the skills required to build cars at scale—precision manufacturing, supply chain management, systems integration—are the same skills needed to build robots at scale. If they're right, this could be transformational."