CES 2026 delivered an unexpected highlight as Hyundai shifted the spotlight from cars to robots. On Monday, the company debuted Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robot on a public stage for the very first time.
Visitors expecting Hyundai to showcase vehicles at CES 2026 were instead greeted by robots. The company’s press conference centered on Boston Dynamics and its robotic innovations rather than automobiles.
The event opened with a choreographed dance performance by several of Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots, setting the tone for the announcements that followed.
Atlas steps onto the public stage
While videos of Atlas have circulated online for years, they were always filmed inside Boston Dynamics’ research labs. At CES 2026, Atlas walked onto a public stage for the first time, marking a major milestone for the humanoid robot.
The appearance allowed audiences to see the robot operate outside a controlled lab environment.
During the demonstration, Atlas stood up from the floor in an awkward-looking manner. Boston Dynamics explained that this motion is intentional and efficient, as the robot is not designed to mimic human movement.
Engineers emphasized that Atlas does not need to follow human conventions when standing or moving, allowing it to optimize for stability and function.
Hyundai’s role in building Atlas
Hyundai plays a central role in the future of the Atlas robot. The automaker is partnering with Boston Dynamics to manufacture the robots, supply actuators, and help build the overall supply chain.
All Atlas robots produced this year are scheduled to be shipped to Hyundai’s Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC), where they will be put to use by the company.
Google DeepMind is also partnering with Boston Dynamics and Hyundai. The collaboration aims to enhance Atlas’ cognitive abilities by integrating advanced AI models.
This partnership is expected to help the robot better understand tasks and environments as it moves beyond demonstrations toward real-world applications.
From factories to homes
Boston Dynamics and Hyundai say the immediate focus is proving Atlas’ capabilities in factory settings. Once the robots demonstrate reliability and usefulness in industrial environments, the companies hope Atlas could eventually perform tasks inside homes.
