Humanoid robot wins top honor as Hyundai outlines AI robotics strategy
Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas has been named Best Robot in the Best of CES™ 2026 Awards by CNET Group.
Atlas made its debut during Hyundai Motor Group’s CES 2026 media conference in Las Vegas, where the company detailed its AI robotics strategy aimed at advancing the era of physical AI and human-robot collaboration.
Why Atlas Won ‘Best Robot’
The Boston Dynamics Atlas Best Robot CES 2026 recognition was awarded by a panel of more than 40 journalists from CNET Group’s leading technology brands, including:
- CNET
- PCMag
- Mashable
- ZDNET
- Lifehacker
Judges cited Atlas’s natural, human-like walking gait, sleek industrial-ready design and readiness for real-world deployment as decisive factors.
According to CNET Group, the Best of CES™ award winners represent the most innovative and boundary-pushing technologies expected to shape the year ahead.
Deployment Plans at Hyundai Metaplant America
Atlas will be deployed at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia by 2028.
Initial applications will focus on tasks that enhance safety and quality, including:
- Parts sequencing
- Structured material handling
- Repetitive process support
By 2030, Hyundai plans to expand Atlas’s role into component assembly and other complex industrial operations. As validation progresses, the Group aims to scale deployment across global production facilities.
Designed for Industrial Performance
Atlas represents a significant evolution in humanoid robotics for manufacturing environments. Built as a general-purpose industrial robot, it integrates with existing factory layouts while maintaining adaptability as operational needs change.
Core Capabilities
- Rapid task training: Most assignments can be taught in under one day
- Autonomous operation: Includes automatic battery replacement and continuous workflow capability
- Heavy-load capacity: Lifts up to 110 lbs (50 kg)
- Durability: Water resistant and capable of operating between -4°F and 104°F (-20°C to 40°C)
Technical Highlights
- 56 degrees of freedom (DoF), many with fully rotational joints
- Human-scale hands with tactile sensing
- Advanced sensors and AI-driven learning systems
- Dynamic mechanical design enabling operation in human-centric spaces
These features allow Atlas to perform repetitive, physically demanding and precision-based tasks traditionally handled by human workers.
Leading the Physical AI Era
The Boston Dynamics Atlas Best Robot CES 2026 award underscores Hyundai Motor Group’s ambition to lead in human-centered AI robotics.
By integrating Atlas into manufacturing environments, Hyundai is positioning humanoid robotics not as experimental technology, but as scalable industrial infrastructure designed to improve safety, efficiency and productivity in smart factories worldwide.
