Hyundai Humanoid Robots May Reach U.S. Buyers Through Dealers

Hyundai Considers Dealer Network for Humanoid Robot Sales

Hyundai humanoid robots could eventually be sold through the company’s existing dealer network in the United States, according to CEO José Muñoz. Speaking on August 27 at Hyundai’s investor day event, Muñoz said the company has potential distribution opportunities through its dealer partners. He also indicated that a company already involved in financing cars is exploring whether it could provide similar financing for robots. However, Muñoz did not clarify whether Hyundai intends to target individual consumers, commercial customers, or both. The comments provide an early indication of how Hyundai could approach distribution as it prepares to produce humanoid robots in the U.S.

Boston Dynamics Provides Hyundai With Existing Robot Platforms

Hyundai already has access to established robotic technologies through its ownership of Boston Dynamics. The company sells Spot, a four-legged robot designed for industrial inspections, and Hyundai has deployed Spot at its facilities for inspection and predictive maintenance applications. Boston Dynamics has also said Spot will inspect vehicle exteriors in the weld shop at Metaplant America in Georgia, where the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 electric vehicles are built. The company also offers Stretch, a wheeled, single-armed robot designed to unload boxes from trucks and shipping containers, giving Hyundai access to multiple robotic platforms for industrial applications.

Atlas Becomes Central to Hyundai’s Manufacturing Strategy

More strategically important to Hyundai is Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics that Hyundai plans to integrate into its manufacturing processes at Metaplant America. The Robot Metaplant Application Center, or RMAC, opened there in June and is conducting testing, verification, and training for AI-powered robots. Hyundai plans to begin robot production in the United States in 2028, with planned annual capacity of 30,000 units. The manufacturing program indicates that Hyundai’s humanoid robotics strategy is closely connected to its broader industrial operations, particularly the deployment and evaluation of robots within its own production facilities.

Hyundai Builds on Its Boston Dynamics Ownership

Hyundai Motor Group acquired an 80% controlling stake in Boston Dynamics in 2021 and has since increased its ownership as it moves toward making the robotics company a wholly owned subsidiary. This ownership structure gives Hyundai a direct connection to the robotic technologies it intends to deploy and potentially commercialize. The company’s approach combines Boston Dynamics’ existing robot portfolio with Hyundai’s manufacturing capabilities and dealer relationships. The potential use of dealers for robot distribution, together with planned U.S. production and ongoing testing at RMAC, shows how Hyundai is developing both the technology and commercial infrastructure needed for a larger robotics business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hyundai plan to sell its humanoid robots?
Hyundai is considering its existing dealer network as a potential distribution channel for humanoid robots in the United States, according to CEO José Muñoz. He said the company has existing potential distribution through dealer partners and noted that a company already financing cars is exploring whether it could also finance robots. Hyundai has not yet specified whether the robots will be sold to individuals, commercial customers, or both. The company plans to begin U.S. robot production in 2028 with planned annual capacity of 30,000 units.