[CES 2026] "Giving Robots a Google Brain": Hyundai Motor Announces Alliance with DeepMind

[비즈한국] The next-generation electric 'Atlas' has been unveiled. On the 5th (local time) at the CES 2026 Media Day in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor Group showcased the evolved Atlas, stating that it has moved beyond a research-only model and is now capable of being deployed directly into actual manufacturing sites. Equipped with 56 degrees of freedom (DoF) in its joints and hands featuring human-level tactile sensors, this robot utilizes 360-degree rotating joints to perform movements more efficiently than humans even in narrow manufacturing processes.

Hyundai Motor Group's next-generation electric Atlas was unveiled at an official media event prior to the opening of CES 2026. A demonstration of the research-type Atlas model. Photo = Reporter Kang Eun-kyung

Jack Jackowski, Head of Atlas Development, emphasized, "It is now time to officially take Atlas out of the lab," adding, "The next-generation Atlas is the culmination of data accumulated from operating thousands of 'Spot' and 'Stretch' units, capable of learning most industrial processes within a day, replacing its own batteries, and performing continuous work.">

The development-type Atlas features a 360-degree vision perception camera and can lift a maximum load of 50kg. Hyundai Motor Group005380 plans to first deploy these robots for parts sorting at the 'Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)' in Georgia, USA, starting in 2028, and aims to establish a robot production system with an annual capacity of 30,000 units by the same year. The plan is to solidify its position in mass-produced humanoid robots by expanding the scope of work to include parts assembly by 2030.

The development-type Atlas is equipped with a 360-degree vision camera and can lift a maximum load of 50kg. Photo = Reporter Kang Eun-kyung

The key to this technological leap is a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind. Both companies will transplant Google's AI Gemini into Boston Dynamics' physical control technology to develop a 'robot that understands and reasons about the world.'

Carolina Parada, Head of Google DeepMind Robotics, who took the stage as one of the speakers, explained, "We will build 'Gemini Robotics,' which brings Gemini's world-understanding capabilities into the physical realm and adds robotic behavior as a new modality. Our goal is to create the world's best robot foundation model, where skills can be taught to robots just like teaching a person, and where robots learn through experience to continuously improve performance over time.">

Hyundai Motor Group's strategy is to complete an end-to-end (E2E) value chain that covers everything from hardware production to software intelligence by opening the 'Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC)' in the U.S. this August to train and verify robots in real-world scenarios.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to prove the functions and utility of its robots in factories and expand them to the logistics, construction, and energy sectors based on these results. Photo = Reporter Kang Eun-kyung

Atlas and Spot are developed by Boston Dynamics (87.6% stake), Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics subsidiary. Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest a total of 125.2 trillion won in Korea over the five years from this year to 2030 in the robotics sector. Separately, it is also investing $26 billion in the U.S.

Woo Seung-hyun, Team Leader of Hyundai Motor Group's GSO, said, "If Boston Dynamics makes robots move, Hyundai Motor Group makes them ready to work on-site. Based on robot technology proven in factories, we will expand the robotics ecosystem beyond logistics, construction, and energy to include household chore support in the future, realizing progress for humanity."