Boston Dynamics opens testing ground for humanoid robots
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Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics. Photo: Courtesy of Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics opened a facility within a Hyundai Motor Group plant in Georgia to train its humanoid robots to build cars.
Why it matters: The move takes the Waltham company, which Hyundai now fully owns, one step closer to deploying its robotic workforce to the factory floor and, one day, production lines in other industries.
Catch up quick: Boston Dynamics unveiled its Atlas robots earlier this year and announced plans to deploy them in Hyundai factories.
- They planned to start with the Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) inside car maker's "Metaplant" near Savannah, where Hyundai makes electric and hybrid vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9.
Driving the news: Hyundai plans to start with 25,000 robots at Hyundai and Kia factories before ramping up to 30,000 annually.
- A handful of Waltham employees have moved to Georgia to support the Atlas training, which will focus on logistics and parts sequencing, a spokesperson said.
- Eventually, the company will train the robots how to assemble parts and lift heavy objects.
- A Boston Dynamics spokesperson declined to say how many robots are already operating at the RMAC.
What they're saying: Zack Jackowski, Boston Dynamics' chief product and technology officer, says the new training ground bolsters the companies' interest in creating "a future where robots amplify human potential by making work safer and more productive."
Zoom in: The Waltham company plans to focus its efforts on Hyundai Motor Group and Google DeepMind, but a spokesperson said other companies have expressed interest in Atlas robots.
- They include several customers who use Spot, their four-legged robot, and Stretch, in manufacturing, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, food and beverage and life sciences.
- Meanwhile, the company plans to add a second Waltham property as part of a $100 million expansion that would create 1,250 new jobs by 2033.
Yes, but: The Atlas expansion has caused friction with some workers and consumers.
- Hyundai's union auto workers went on a partial strike in July to protest the Atlas acquisition plans, saying the robots would never step onto the factory floor without the workers' approval, per the Wall Street Journal.
- In Boston, activists are protesting the company's plans to sell its robot dogs to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Boston Dynamics says the contract is with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, not the immigration enforcement arm, and that the dogs are designed to avoid contact with people.)
Reality check: Several companies are developing robot workers, but a Boston Dynamics spokesperson said the economy will still need human workers — likely for jobs that don't exist yet.