Boston Dynamics, the American robotics manufacturer, is set to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group. The South Korean company has decided to acquire the remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics from the Japanese SoftBank. According to Hyundai Motor Group’s statement, SoftBank exercised its option to sell ordinary shares of Boston Dynamics that it owned under a 2020 contract. Analysts in South Korean media note that this acquisition is expected to expedite decision-making and the execution of business plans, giving additional momentum to Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy in artificial intelligence and commercializing robotics.
By gaining full control of Boston Dynamics, Hyundai anticipates that the development, mass production, external partnerships, and implementation of Boston Dynamics robots, including the humanoid robot Atlas, will proceed more quickly and efficiently. Hyundai Motor had previously announced plans to gradually introduce Atlas at its American plants. Starting in 2028, Atlas will be used for parts sorting, followed by on-site testing. The company expects that by 2030, Atlas will have a broader range of applications, including parts assembly.
Investments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have seen a significant increase. In May 2025, investors poured $100 million into an AI startup developing humanoid robots. Experts observe that AI is accelerating the competition in the robotics market, with many companies, including major players, investing in this sector and creating human-like models based on neural networks. Companies are actively transitioning AI solutions from experimental stages to operational use. Estimates suggest that the creation of 80,000 industrial robots by 2030 could require investments totaling 400 billion rubles. AI is expected to be a key driver of industry development in the next five years, becoming a mainstream tool that transforms economies in manufacturing plants and other sectors.
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