Kia plans to deploy Atlas humanoid robots in US

Kia plans to start using Atlas humanoid robots from Boston Dynamics at its Georgia factory in 2029, CEO Song Ho-sung said.

The rollout will follow Hyundai Motor Group’s planned deployment at Metaplant America in 2028.

Song said Kia will expand the rollout across its US plants over one to two years, first using the robots for physically demanding work while collecting operational data and improving safety.

He added that Kia could later introduce Atlas at overseas factories with similar layouts.

Spot is already used for scanning and patrols and Stretch will be built into purpose-built vehicles.

🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Kia’s Atlas plan lines up with Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics drive

Hyundai Motor Group plans to buy tens of thousands of robots over the next few years 1.
It also plans a new U.S. robotics factory with capacity for 30,000 robots a year 2.
The robots are expected to train at the Hyundai Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) in the U.S. The site tests robots and prepares them for factory work 2.
The strategy links robot design, manufacturing, rollout, plus support across one chain. It treats robotics as its own business line 3.

Factory work may shift as Hyundai leans on car-style robot production

Human workers are still expected to handle supervision, training, and quality checks. They are also expected to manage programming and operations as humanoid robots arrive 3.
Kia’s labor union has already called for frameworks to address labor rights issues as AI-driven automation spreads 3.
Atlas was built for factory use and to fit automotive supply chains. Hyundai Mobis, the group’s auto parts affiliate, is set to supply the actuators, the parts that move the robot’s joints 2.
Hyundai Motor Group expects its backing to lift reliability and lower unit costs, though it has not put numbers on either 2.