Hyundai to Deploy 30,000 AI Robots in U.S. Plants from 2026 to Counter Tariff Impact

To counter profit pressures caused by the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on automobiles, Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy AI-powered humanoid robots “Atlas,” developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, at its U.S. plants on a large scale starting in 2026, aiming for an annual production capacity of 30,000 units by 2028. Despite record-high U.S. sales for both Hyundai and Kia in 2025—reaching 1.007 million vehicles and achieving all-time high revenue—the two automakers saw their combined net profits drop by over 20% year-over-year due to tariff impacts, resulting in losses of approximately 7 trillion Korean won. In response, Hyundai aims to raise the share of locally produced vehicles in the U.S. to 80% by 2030 and will invest 9 trillion won to strengthen its local manufacturing infrastructure. The Atlas robot offers high precision and round-the-clock operational capabilities, with projected mass-production costs as low as $1.20 per hour—significantly below human labor costs. However, the plan faces opposition from labor unions, which already triggered a strike last year over the issue. Markets have responded positively to the robotics strategy, driving Hyundai’s stock price up by roughly 140% over the past year.