Hyundai Motor Group announced Thursday, July 16, that it will acquire SoftBank Group’s remaining approximately 10% stake in Boston Dynamics, making the U.S. robotics company a wholly owned subsidiary. The announcement was confirmed by Hyundai and follows SoftBank’s exercise of a contractual put option established when Hyundai first acquired control of Boston Dynamics in 2021. Financial terms were not officially disclosed, although South Korean media have estimated the transaction at roughly 500 billion won (about $335 million). 

The move gives Hyundai complete strategic control over one of the world’s most recognizable robotics companies as the automaker accelerates its transformation from a traditional vehicle manufacturer into a broader mobility, artificial intelligence and robotics company.

Rather than viewing robots as a side business, Hyundai is positioning robotics as a central pillar of its long-term growth strategy.

From Viral Videos to Factory Floors

Boston Dynamics built its global reputation through highly advanced robots capable of running, climbing stairs, navigating rough terrain and performing complex movements once thought impossible for machines.

Its quadruped Spot robot has been deployed for industrial inspections, construction sites, utility operations, mining, public safety and infrastructure monitoring around the world.

More recently, attention has shifted to Atlas, the company’s next-generation humanoid robot designed for industrial work.

Hyundai plans to begin deploying Atlas robots at its new electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Georgia beginning in 2028, where the robots are expected to initially perform parts sequencing before gradually expanding into additional manufacturing functions, including component assembly by the end of the decade. 

The Georgia deployment represents one of the first large-scale commercial applications of advanced humanoid robots inside an automotive production environment.

Why Hyundai Wants Full Control

Hyundai originally acquired an 80% interest in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank in 2021. Through subsequent ownership adjustments, Hyundai and its affiliated companies increased their combined ownership to more than 90%, leaving SoftBank with a minority interest of roughly 10%.

By purchasing the remaining shares, Hyundai eliminates minority ownership and gains complete authority over future investment decisions, commercialization strategy, research priorities and any potential future public offering.

The company said complete ownership provides greater flexibility to make long-term investments without needing approval from outside shareholders.

That flexibility may prove increasingly valuable as competition intensifies among companies racing to commercialize humanoid robotics.

Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics and several Chinese robotics developers are investing billions of dollars into humanoid systems intended for factories, warehouses and logistics operations.

Hyundai believes Boston Dynamics gives it one of the industry’s strongest technology platforms.

Automation Meets Labor Concerns

The announcement comes during a period of heightened labor tensions in South Korea, where Hyundai’s union has raised concerns about automation replacing manufacturing jobs.

Union officials have warned that expanding use of humanoid robots could reduce future hiring needs if automation advances more rapidly than workforce growth.

Hyundai has stated that robotics is intended to improve productivity, safety and manufacturing efficiency rather than simply eliminate jobs.

The company argues that robots can assume repetitive, dangerous or physically demanding work while employees transition toward higher-value technical roles.

Nevertheless, labor organizations continue watching Hyundai’s robotics strategy closely as implementation moves forward.

A Broader Robotics Strategy

Hyundai’s ambitions extend well beyond automobile manufacturing.

The company envisions robots supporting logistics, warehousing, healthcare, construction, mobility services and smart-city infrastructure.

Boston Dynamics already sells industrial robots globally, and Hyundai hopes its manufacturing expertise can accelerate production while reducing costs over time.

Combining Hyundai’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities with Boston Dynamics’ robotics expertise could enable broader commercialization of advanced robotic systems.

Industry analysts view the acquisition as another indication that robotics is moving from experimental research into mainstream industrial deployment.

While humanoid robots remain expensive today, manufacturers increasingly see them as long-term tools capable of helping address labor shortages, improve workplace safety and increase productivity.

What Comes Next

Hyundai will continue integrating Boston Dynamics into its broader robotics strategy while preparing Atlas for commercial deployment in the United States.

The company expects full ownership to simplify decision-making and accelerate development timelines as global competition in robotics continues to intensify.

For Boston Dynamics, the transaction closes another chapter in a corporate history that has included ownership by Google, SoftBank and now full integration into Hyundai Motor Group.

For Hyundai, it represents one of the clearest signals yet that the future of the company extends far beyond automobiles.

JBizNews Desk | Seoul

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