Hyundai to Deploy Human-Like Robots in Factories by 2028 in Manufacturing Revolution

Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to introduce humanoid robots into its global manufacturing facilities starting in 2028, joining a competitive race among major companies to integrate advanced robotics into industrial operations.

The South Korean automotive giant showcased Atlas, a cutting-edge humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday, signaling a major shift in how cars will be built in the future.

Atlas represents a new generation of industrial robots that look and move like humans rather than the traditional robotic arms that have dominated factory floors for decades.

Unlike conventional factory robots that are fixed in place and programmed to repeat the same motion endlessly, Atlas is designed to move freely through factory environments, work alongside human employees, and autonomously manage various machines.

Think of it as the difference between a stationary checkout scanner and a mobile shop assistant—Atlas can go where it's needed and adapt to different tasks rather than waiting for work to come to it.

Hyundai owns a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the technology company famous for creating Spot the robot dog, which has been deployed in industrial inspections, construction sites, and even some mining operations.

Hyundai announced plans to "integrate Atlas across its global network" of manufacturing facilities, including a major plant in the US state of Georgia.

The robots will gradually take on more responsibilities over time, starting with simpler tasks and eventually handling more complex operations as the technology matures and human workers become comfortable working alongside their mechanical colleagues.

The company hasn't disclosed how many robots it will initially deploy or the total investment required for the project, but given Hyundai's announcement in 2025 that it would invest more than $20 billion (£15.5 billion) in the US, the robotics initiative likely represents a significant portion of this commitment.

Hyundai says Atlas robots will serve three main purposes in its factories:

First, they'll help ease the physical strain on human workers by taking over tasks that require repetitive heavy lifting or uncomfortable positions that can lead to long-term injuries.

Second, they'll handle potentially dangerous tasks—like working with hazardous chemicals, operating in extreme temperatures, or managing machinery with moving parts that pose safety risks to humans.

Third, they'll pave the way for wider adoption of humanoid robotics technology across industries, potentially accelerating innovation in manufacturing processes.

The human-like design isn't just aesthetic—it's practical. Factories are designed for human workers, with stairs, doorways, and workstations built to human proportions. A humanoid robot can navigate these spaces without requiring facilities to be completely redesigned, unlike wheeled or tracked robots that need ramps and specialized pathways.

Hyundai isn't alone in embracing humanoid robots. Several major companies have announced similar initiatives:

Amazon has been testing humanoid robots in its warehouses to handle package sorting and movement tasks.

Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has invested heavily in developing Optimus, its own humanoid robot, with ambitious plans to deploy thousands of them in Tesla factories and eventually sell them to other companies.

Chinese automotive giant BYD has also announced plans to integrate humanoid robots into its manufacturing operations as it expands production capacity.

This rush toward humanoid robotics represents a significant shift in industrial automation strategy, moving beyond traditional fixed robots to flexible, mobile machines that can adapt to changing production needs.

Speaking at CES, Hyundai's vice chair Jaehoon Chang acknowledged widespread concerns that human workers might lose their jobs to robots—a particularly sensitive issue in manufacturing communities.

However, Chang emphasized that people will still be essential, particularly for training the robots and managing operations. According to Reuters, he suggested that the relationship between humans and robots would be collaborative rather than competitive.

This mirrors arguments made across the tech industry: that automation creates new types of jobs even as it eliminates others, though workers may need retraining to transition into these new roles.

The announcement carries particular significance for Hyundai's battery manufacturing plant in Georgia, which it operates in partnership with electronics giant LG.

In September 2025, the facility became the center of international controversy when US immigration officers raided it and arrested hundreds of workers, including at least 300 South Korean citizens. Workers had their legs shackled in scenes that sparked outrage in South Korea.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai's chief executive José Muñoz warned that the raid could discourage foreign investment in the United States. The incident was resolved later that month when Washington and Seoul reached an agreement to release the detained workers.

President Donald Trump said he opposed the raid and that the US had an "understanding" about bringing in international experts to establish specialized facilities and train local workers. Muñoz revealed in November that the White House personally called him to apologize.

The introduction of humanoid robots to this facility might be seen as both a technological advancement and a partial solution to workforce management challenges, though it raises questions about the future of human employment at the plant.

While humanoid robots in car factories might seem distant from African economic realities, the technology has profound implications for developing economies like Ghana.

African nations are currently building their manufacturing sectors and face a critical decision: invest in labor-intensive operations that create many jobs but may become obsolete, or adopt advanced automation that improves competitiveness but employs fewer people.

Ghana's automotive assembly sector, though smaller than those in South Korea or the US, could eventually face similar choices as robotics technology becomes more affordable and accessible.

Additionally, as global manufacturers like Hyundai adopt humanoid robots, they may reduce their reliance on low-cost labor markets. This could affect developing nations that have built economic development strategies around attracting foreign manufacturers seeking cheaper workforces.

However, there's also opportunity. African tech innovators could develop robotics solutions tailored to local industries—perhaps in agriculture, mining, or small-scale manufacturing—using insights from projects like Atlas. Ghana's growing tech ecosystem in Accra could potentially contribute to this emerging field.

The shift toward humanoid robots represents more than just technological advancement—it signals a fundamental transformation in how we think about work, production, and the relationship between humans and machines.

As Boston Dynamics' technology moves from viral YouTube videos of robots doing parkour to actual factory floors, we're entering an era where science fiction becomes industrial reality.

The question isn't whether humanoid robots will transform manufacturing—they will. The real questions are how quickly, who will benefit, and how societies will adapt to ensure the transition creates broadly shared prosperity rather than concentrating benefits among tech companies and their shareholders.

Hyundai's 2028 target gives the company roughly three years to refine the technology, train workers, and integrate Atlas robots into production lines.

Other manufacturers will be watching closely. If Hyundai successfully demonstrates that humanoid robots can improve productivity, safety, and product quality while maintaining workforce stability, expect rapid adoption across the automotive industry and beyond.

For workers, policymakers, and communities dependent on manufacturing jobs, the coming years will be crucial for developing strategies—from retraining programs to social safety nets—that help people adapt to a factory floor increasingly shared with mechanical colleagues.

The robot revolution isn't coming—it's here. The question now is whether we're ready for it. DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Source News Ghana. Report errors: markossourcegroup@gmail.com