Hyundai Mobis is making a strategic entry into the rapidly growing robotics component market, focusing on actuators that function as the joints and muscles of humanoid robots.
The auto parts unit of Hyundai Motor Group has recently discussed commercialization strategies for actuators with institutional investors, according to industry sources. The company’s specialized R&D division is accelerating efforts to develop more than 30 types of actuators for humanoid robots.
The timing aligns with parent Hyundai Motor Group’s plans to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robots at major production facilities by year-end, including its innovation center in Singapore and Georgia metaplant in the United States. Hyundai acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021 for approximately 1 trillion won ($712.5 million).
Actuators constitute over half the production cost of humanoid robots, with each unit requiring more than 40 of these critical components. Hyundai Mobis’ entry into this sector mirrors its established role as a supplier of core electric vehicle components within the group.
The initiative comes as Hyundai prepares for Atlas mass production targeted for 2028. The company recently announced plans to purchase “tens of thousands” of robots from Boston Dynamics, strengthening its position in advanced robotics manufacturing.
According to market research, the global robot actuator market is projected to grow from $13.4 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2032, fueled by automakers increasingly introducing humanoid robots into their production processes.
