Reports say Hyundai Motor Group is set to buy SoftBank Group’s remaining stake in Boston Dynamics, which would give Hyundai full ownership of the U.S. robotics company behind Spot and Atlas and close out the last piece of its June 2021 deal. This would complete Hyundai Motor Group’s June 2021 purchase of 80% of Boston Dynamics for about $1.1 billion, though the terms of this latest sale still haven’t been disclosed.
What changes most here is speed. With full control, Hyundai Motor Group can pull Boston Dynamics more tightly into its smart-mobility plans, make decisions faster, line up robot roadmaps with manufacturing needs, and push commercialization past the stage of flashy demos.
Reports also say SoftBank Group exercised a put option from the 2020 agreement, requiring Hyundai Motor Group to buy the remaining roughly 9.65% stake for an estimated $325 million to $335 million.
Atlas sits at the center of this. Hyundai Motor Group is planning a new all-electric, production-ready humanoid for its Georgia EV plant in 2028 to handle parts sequencing, then move into more advanced assembly work by 2030, while the company aims for capacity of up to 30,000 humanoid robots a year.
If you follow industrial robotics, this is one to watch, because Hyundai Motor Group can test these machines in its own factories first, even with real questions still hanging over reliability, safety, cost, factory fit, and union concerns about worker displacement.
For now, though, you’re still waiting on official confirmation from Hyundai Motor Group and SoftBank Group.
Author: Chema Carvajal Sarabia
{
"de-DE": "Journalist, spezialisiert auf Technologie, Unterhaltung und Videospiele. Über das zu schreiben, was mich begeistert (Gadgets, Spiele und Filme), ermöglicht es mir, bei Verstand zu bleiben und mit einem Lächeln im Gesicht aufzuwachen, wenn der Wecker klingelt. PS: Das stimmt nicht 100% der Zeit.",
"en-US": "Journalist specialized in technology, entertainment and video games. Writing about what I'm passionate about (gadgets, games and movies) allows me to stay sane and wake up with a smile on my face when the alarm clock goes off. PS: this is not true 100% of the time.",
"es-ES": "Content Manager - Periodista especializado en tecnología, entretenimiento y videojuegos. Escribir sobre lo que me apasiona (cacharros, juegos y cine) me permite seguir cuerdo y despertarme con una sonrisa cuando suena el despertador. PD: esto no es cierto el 100 % de las veces.",
"fr-FR": "Journaliste spécialisé dans la technologie, le divertissement et les jeux vidéo. Écrire sur ce qui me passionne (gadgets, jeux et films) me permet de rester sain d'esprit et de me réveiller avec le sourire aux lèvres quand le réveil sonne. PS : cela n'est pas vrai 100 % du temps.",
"it-IT": "Giornalista specializzato in tecnologia, intrattenimento e videogiochi. Scrivere di ciò che mi appassiona (gadget, giochi e film) mi permette di mantenere la sanità mentale e di svegliarmi con un sorriso sul viso quando suona la sveglia. PS: questo non è vero al 100% del tempo.",
"ja-JP": "",
"nl-NL": "",
"pl-PL": "",
"pt-BR": "Jornalista especializado em tecnologia, entretenimento e videogames. Escrever sobre o que me apaixona (gadgets, jogos e filmes) me permite manter a sanidade e acordar com um sorriso no rosto quando o despertador toca. PS: isso não é verdade 100% do tempo.",
"social": {
"email": "chemacs91@gmail.com",
"facebook": "",
"twitter": "https://twitter.com/chematopetazo",
"linkedin": ""
}
}
View all posts by Chema Carvajal Sarabia