Union mobilizes against the use of humanoid robots at Hyundai
Automaker Hyundai will increasingly rely on the humanoid robot Atlas in production starting in 2028. Unions sharply criticize the plans.
The production version of the humanoid Atlas robot on stage. Soon it is set to work permanently in automotive manufacturing.
(Image: Boston Dynamics)
The union at Hyundai Motors fears that the use of humanoid robots in automotive manufacturing at home and abroad could have massive consequences for employees, including layoffs. Hyundai announced on Monday that it intends to deploy the production version of the humanoid robot Atlas, developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics and unveiled at CES 2026, in Hyundai's US plant in Georgia, the Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), starting in 2028.
The plan is for the Atlas robot to initially take over dull, repetitive, and dangerous tasks in manufacturing that humans are less inclined to do. According to the plan, the robot is to sort components. Later, starting in 2030, Atlas is also to be used in assembly. In the future, Atlas is also intended to move heavy loads and perform more complex tasks, according to Hyundai's long-term plan. The humanoid Atlas is then to be deployed at all production sites worldwide. The group hopes to increase efficiency in automotive manufacturing with these measures. Up to 30,000 robots per year are to be produced.
Possible Staff Reductions
However, the Hyundai union fears that the massive deployment of humanoid robots will lead to the irrecoverable loss of these and other human jobs, with no replacement jobs being created. The union assumes that the primary goal is to save ongoing personnel costs. Humanoid robots would only incur acquisition and maintenance expenses. The latter, the union estimates at about 14 million won, or about 8090 euros, per unit annually. This is far below the personnel costs of a worker.
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Hyundai's union also criticizes that the group plans to increase automotive production in the USA from 100,000 to more than 500,000 vehicles by 2028. Apparently, domestic production in South Korea is to be relocated abroad – likely also to circumvent US tariffs. From the union's perspective, this could also lead to job cuts in South Korea.
(olb)
