First public demonstration of Atlas
Boston Dynamics, owned by Hyundai, publicly demonstrated its humanoid robot Atlas for the first time on Monday at the CES technology showcase in Las Vegas. The appearance marks a significant step in the growing competition to develop robots designed to resemble humans and perform human-like tasks, an area also pursued by companies such as Tesla.
During the presentation, Atlas rose from the floor, walked fluidly across the stage, waved to the audience and rotated its head, showcasing balance and mobility. The demonstration was remotely guided by an engineer, although the company said the robot is intended to operate autonomously in real-world environments.
Industrial deployment planned by 2028
Boston Dynamics said a production version of Atlas is already being manufactured and is expected to be deployed by 2028 at Hyundai’s electric vehicle assembly plant near Savannah, Georgia. The humanoid robot is designed to assist with car assembly tasks, reflecting a focus on industrial applications rather than consumer use.
Hyundai and Google DeepMind partnership
Hyundai also announced a new partnership with Google’s DeepMind, which will provide artificial intelligence technology for Boston Dynamics robots. The collaboration revives a historical link between Google and Boston Dynamics, which Google acquired in 2013 before later selling the company to SoftBank. Hyundai purchased Boston Dynamics from SoftBank in 2021 and now holds a controlling stake.
From Spot to humanoid robots
Boston Dynamics has spent decades developing robots and is widely known for its commercial four-legged robot Spot. At Hyundai’s CES event, several Spot robots opened the presentation by performing a synchronized dance routine, highlighting the company’s existing robotics portfolio.
Public demonstrations of humanoid robots remain rare, as mishaps can quickly draw negative attention. Many robotics firms prefer curated video presentations rather than live showcases.
Robotics investment and future challenges
Strong investment driven by advances in artificial intelligence, computing power and communications technology has accelerated robotics development. However, experts caution that truly versatile humanoid robots capable of handling a wide range of tasks remain a long-term goal.
While current humanoids lack the dexterity to significantly disrupt employment, debate over their impact on jobs is expected to intensify as capabilities improve. The Georgia facility where Atlas is planned to be tested has already drawn attention in the past due to labor-related issues, underscoring the broader social implications of automation.
