Hyundai Motor Group’s humanoid robot unit, Boston Dynamics, announced the launch of the Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) at the automaker’s campus near Savannah, Ga. The site will serve as a testbed and training center for integrating Atlas robots directly into the group’s automobile manufacturing operations.
Training will include preparing the logistics and sequencing of automotive parts before placing them in the correct order for assembly. Boston Dynamics expects applications to extend to component assembly by 2030 and added that the robots will take on tasks involving repetitive motions and strenuous work like heavy lifting.
The facility will support Atlas’ continued preparation for automotive deployments. Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics will explore use cases for its Spot and Stretch robots in other sectors, including aerospace, semiconductors, food & beverage and life sciences.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy 25,000 robot units at Hyundai and Kia plants globally over the next few years. It also intends to establish a new production facility in the U.S. with an annual production capacity of 30,000 robots.
The RMAC announcement came after Reuters reported that Toyota Motor estimated factory automation could cost approximately $6.4 billion annually from 2028. Potential investments include automated logistics, industrial robots and human-robot collaboration on plant floors.
