Boston Dynamics begins production of Atlas robots for Hyundai and Google factories

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Boston Dynamics announced at the CES 2026 trade show that its Atlas humanoid robot is officially entering production, marking a significant transition from laboratory prototype to commercial industrial tool.

The first commercial versions of the robot will be deployed to Hyundai, a major shareholder in Boston Dynamics, and Google DeepMind, the company’s new artificial intelligence partner.

Boston Dynamics says Atlas is designed to perform industrial tasks with high reliability and consistency. The robot can operate autonomously, via remote control, or through a tablet-based interface.

The hardware features a 7.5-foot (2.2-meter) reach and the capacity to lift 110 pounds (50 kg). It is built to withstand extreme environments, with an operating temperature range of -4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 40 degrees Celsius).

Hyundai plans to integrate Atlas into its automotive manufacturing plants by 2028, initially focusing on parts sorting. The automaker expects the robots to move into assembly lines and more complex operations by 2030.

Google DeepMind will work on the software side, integrating its Gemini Robotics AI models into the Atlas system to enhance the robot’s capabilities and decision-making.

The commercialization of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas marks a definitive pivot in the robotics sector, signaling a transition from viral technical demonstrations to tangible industrial application. No longer confined to R&D laboratories, the humanoid platform is now positioned as a deployment-ready asset for large-scale production lines. The strategic alignment between Hyundai’s manufacturing infrastructure and Google DeepMind’s artificial intelligence capabilities serves as a powerful institutional endorsement, suggesting that the era of humanoid labor in heavy industry is imminent.

The convergence of Boston Dynamics’ advanced mechanical engineering with DeepMind’s neural networks creates a disruptive force for the global labor market. For economies like Vietnam, which have historically relied on labor arbitrage, this development represents a structural challenge. Vietnam’s "world factory" model—predicated on a competitive advantage in low-cost manual labor—faces potential erosion as autonomous systems become increasingly more efficient and versatile than human workers in repetitive or high-intensity tasks.

Critical sectors, including electronics assembly, textiles, and automotive manufacturing, are now under escalating pressure to automate. This technological shift presents a narrow window for policy action in Hanoi. To avoid being sidelined in the next industrial cycle, the Vietnamese government must accelerate its transition toward a high-tech economy, prioritizing specialized workforce development and advanced manufacturing capabilities over traditional labor-intensive models.

As automation becomes increasingly sophisticated—epitomized by the likes of the Atlas robot—it raises pressing long-term questions about the future of manual labor in the United States. Given that a significant portion of the Vietnamese-American workforce is concentrated in these sectors, from the nail salon industry to the bustling kitchens of our phở restaurants, this trend highlights an urgent need for reskilling and tech-focused education. For the next generation in our community to remain competitive, there must be a concerted effort to adapt to this shifting landscape, ensuring they have the tools to thrive in a more automated economy.