Hyundai Motor, Acquiring 'Boston Dynamics,' Bets Big on Humanoid Robot Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Motor Group is making a bold move into the logistics and humanoid robot business by acquiring the global robotics company Boston Dynamics. In particular, the group plans to expand its new business areas by entering the humanoid robot industry, which is expected to grow into a $3.9 billion (4.26 trillion KRW) market within three years.

On the 11th, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it would acquire an 80% stake in the U.S.-based robotics specialist Boston Dynamics from the SoftBank Group. The total valuation of the company is estimated at $1.1 billion, with the acquisition price for the 80% stake expected to be around $880 million (approximately 960 billion KRW).

With this acquisition, Hyundai Motor Group plans to nurture the robotics business as a new group-level venture. The group aims to grow into a global top-tier company in the robotics industry by entering not only the logistics and guidance support robot markets but ultimately the humanoid robot market, known as "human-shaped robots."

Multipurpose Arm and Bipedal Walking Robots... Entering the 'Humanoid Robot' Market

First, Hyundai Motor Group will enter the logistics robot market, which is expected to have the highest demand. The strategy is to secure technological capabilities in the mobile robot market through logistics robots and then expand into the humanoid robot market capable of providing specialized personal services.

The logistics robot sector, which is expected to show the highest growth in the industrial robot market, can replace human labor involved in loading, unloading, transportation, storage, and picking (grasping and moving items) tasks in logistics sites and warehouses.

Boston Dynamics already owns robots such as 'Pick' and 'Handle' for automation. 'Pick' uses deep learning and high-resolution 2D and 3D sensing to accurately identify various boxes even in complex environments. Unlike existing robots that move entire pallets stacked with goods, the moving picking logistics robot 'Handle' can remove items one by one from pallets and transport them to designated spaces.

Atlas, the bipedal robot developed by Boston Dynamics

Meanwhile, the ultimate market Hyundai Motor Group aims to enter is the humanoid robot market capable of personal services. To realize humanoid robots, which are human-shaped robots, multipurpose arms and bipedal walking technology are essential.

Based on hands and legs similar to humans, these robots can replace tasks ranging from patient care to household chores, and recently, development of humanoid robots that can assist astronauts is accelerating. According to market research firm Report and Report, the humanoid robot market is expected to grow into a $3.9 billion (4.26 trillion KRW) market within three years.

Boston Dynamics has succeeded in developing the dynamic humanoid robot 'Atlas.' Atlas is regarded as a highly advanced research platform that surpasses the limits of full-body mobility, performing actions such as jumping, handstands, and backflips.

Global Robotics Market to Grow at an Annual Average Rate of 32% Over the Next Five Years

Hyundai Motor Group expects the global robotics market, which expanded to $44.4 billion (approximately 48.48 trillion KRW) this year, to grow at an annual average rate of 32% until 2025, reaching about $177.2 billion (193.5 trillion KRW). The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) forecasts that the industrial robot market is growing at 14% annually, with approximately 630,000 industrial robots expected to be sold next year.

In line with market growth, leading global companies are entering the global robotics market. Competition is fierce among global automakers as well as parts, transportation, logistics, and ICT companies vying for market leadership.

Honda's AI Mobile Robot Passbot

Japanese automaker Honda developed the world's first bipedal walking robot 'ASIMO' in 2000 and showcased the AI mobile robot 'Pasbot' at last year's CES, which finds optimal routes and provides guidance. Toyota introduced the 'e-Palette' equipped with autonomous driving capabilities and a micro-pallet inside at this year's CES. The micro-pallet is a wheel-based last-mile robot that delivers goods upon arrival at the delivery destination.

Ford is collaborating with robotics company Agility Robotics to commercialize 'Digit,' a bipedal walking robot capable of carrying up to 18 kg and recognizing obstacles and stairs. Volkswagen unveiled a new concept in January this year: an autonomous charging robot that moves to parked vehicles and automatically charges them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.