TL;DR
Boston Dynamics has started commercial production of its humanoid robot Atlas and plans deployments at Hyundai facilities this year. The company also announced a partnership with Google DeepMind to integrate Gemini Robotics models into Atlas; production capacity for this year is reportedly allocated to those commitments.
What happened
At CES 2026 Boston Dynamics said it has begun commercial production of the final, all-electric version of its humanoid robot Atlas. The company confirmed imminent deployments at Hyundai Motor Group facilities, beginning with work at Hyundai’s Robot Metaplant Application Center. Hyundai — identified in Boston Dynamics materials as the company’s majority shareholder — announced a broader US manufacturing investment that includes a robotics factory described as capable of producing 30,000 bots a year; Boston Dynamics’ press material suggests many of those could be Atlas units. Separately, Boston Dynamics revealed a partnership with Google DeepMind to explore integrating Gemini Robotics AI foundation models into Atlas to expand its cognitive capabilities. The company says all Atlas units slated for this year are already spoken for, and it expects to add customers in early 2027 but declined to name any. Atlas is presented as able to operate autonomously, be tele-operated via VR or tablet, and share learned behaviors across a fleet.
Why it matters
- Large-scale production and Hyundai’s manufacturing plans could move humanoid robots from lab demonstrations into industrial use.
- Integrating foundation models from DeepMind may accelerate development of higher-level cognition and fleet-wide learning for industrial robots.
- Design choices aimed at safety, field-repairability and environmental tolerance could lower barriers for deployment in factories.
- The commitments allocate near-term production, narrowing availability for other potential customers and shaping early adopter dynamics.
Key facts
- Boston Dynamics announced the start of commercial production for the final all-electric Atlas humanoid at CES 2026.
- Hyundai — Boston Dynamics’ majority shareholder — will deploy Atlas at its Robot Metaplant Application Center in the coming months.
- Hyundai’s previously announced $26 billion US manufacturing investment includes a robotics factory stated to have capacity for 30,000 bots a year.
- Boston Dynamics has a partnership with Google DeepMind to explore integrating Gemini Robotics AI foundation models into Atlas.
- The company said all Atlas units planned for production this year are already allocated to existing commitments.
- Atlas is described as operable via tele-operation (VR or tablet) and capable of autonomous operation and fleet learning.
- Key hardware specs cited include two hot-swappable batteries, IP67 rating, operation from −4°F to 104°F (−20°C to 40°C), and 56 degrees of freedom.
- Design elements highlighted for industrial settings include padding, minimal pinch points, and simple, swappable components for field repair.
- Boston Dynamics retired its hydraulic version of Atlas in 2024 and has commercialized other robots such as Spot and Stretch previously.
- Boston Dynamics declined to name any customers it expects to add in early 2027; Tesla did not respond to questions for this story.
What to watch next
- Timing and scope of Atlas deployments at Hyundai’s Robot Metaplant Application Center in the coming months.
- Progress and technical results from the DeepMind partnership integrating Gemini Robotics models into Atlas.
- Whether Hyundai’s planned robotics factory will produce large numbers of Atlas specifically (not confirmed in the source).
- Which additional commercial customers Boston Dynamics will announce for 2027 (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Humanoid robot: A robot designed to resemble the human body in form or movement, often with two arms and two legs, used for tasks in human environments.
- Foundation model: A large AI model trained on broad data that can be adapted to many tasks, often used as a base for more specialized systems.
- IP67 rating: An international rating indicating a device is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for a limited time.
- Tele-operation: Remote control of a machine or robot by a human operator, commonly via interfaces like VR systems or tablets.
- Degrees of freedom: The number of independent movements a robot joint or system can make, influencing flexibility and range of motion.
Reader FAQ
Who will receive Atlas units this year?
Boston Dynamics said commitments to Hyundai and a partnership with Google DeepMind mean units slated for this year are allocated.
Will Hyundai’s planned factory produce 30,000 Atlas robots a year?
The $26 billion US manufacturing investment mentioned by Hyundai includes a robotics factory with 30,000 bots/year capacity, but the source does not confirm how many of those will be Atlas units.
Will Atlas operate autonomously?
Boston Dynamics describes Atlas as capable of autonomous operation, tele-operation via VR or tablet, and fleet learning.
Did Tesla produce thousands of Optimus robots by 2025 as predicted?
According to the source, Elon Musk’s prediction that thousands of Optimus robots would be produced by 2025 did not occur, and the article states Optimus is likely behind the curve on autonomy.
Are additional customers for Atlas lined up for 2027?
Boston Dynamics said it plans to add customers in early 2027 but declined to name any, so specific customers are not confirmed in the source.
AI + ML Optimus Schmoptimus – Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot is already in mass production Atlas will be deployed to Hyundai and Google facilities this year Brandon Vigliarolo Tue 6 Jan 2026 //…
Sources
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