Story
Hyundai to Acquire Full Ownership of Boston Dynamics from SoftBank
Summary
The South Korean automaker will purchase SoftBank's remaining stake in the robotics firm, a move aimed at accelerating the commercialization of its Atlas humanoid robot for factory automation.
Hyundai Motor announced it will acquire SoftBank Group's remaining stake in Boston Dynamics, taking full ownership of the robotics pioneer. The move deepens the South Korean automaker's commitment to commercializing advanced humanoid robots and integrating them into its manufacturing operations.
The Transaction
Hyundai said on Thursday that it will purchase the stake after SoftBank exercised a contractual put option, a move that gives a shareholder the right to sell their shares back to the company at a predetermined price. The automaker and its affiliates are reviewing the related rights and obligations, according to a company statement.
Financial terms were not officially disclosed. However, a report last month from South Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper valued SoftBank's remaining 9.65% stake at approximately $325 million. The acquisition completes a process that began in 2021 when a Hyundai-led consortium first acquired a controlling interest in the U.S.-based robotics firm.
Strategic Push into 'Physical AI'
According to Hyundai, full ownership will help accelerate the development and commercialization of what it calls "Physical AI." This strategy combines Boston Dynamics' expertise in advanced robotics with Hyundai's mass-production capabilities, mobility technologies, and global manufacturing network.
The centerpiece of this initiative is Atlas, Boston Dynamics' next-generation humanoid robot. Hyundai unveiled a production-ready version of Atlas earlier this year, showcasing its potential for sophisticated industrial applications.
Robots on the Assembly Line
AdHyundai has outlined clear plans to deploy these robots in its advanced manufacturing facilities. The company intends to begin using Atlas at its electric vehicle plant in Georgia starting in 2028.
The long-term vision includes:
- Building an annual production capacity of up to 30,000 humanoid robots.
- Initially deploying robots for tasks such as logistics and welding.
- Expanding their roles to more complex component assembly by 2030.
This move solidifies robotics as a key pillar in Hyundai's growth strategy, alongside electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and software-defined mobility, as manufacturers race to integrate AI-powered automation.
Market Reaction
In Thursday's trading in Seoul, shares of Hyundai Motor (KS:005380) fell 3.6%, outperforming the broader KOSPI index, which dropped 5.8% amid a wider tech selloff. In Tokyo, SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) shares were down 0.1%, while Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index declined 2.3%.
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