Bringing Robotics Innovation into the Hyundai Family
Hyundai, known for its cars, has been making strides in robotics, particularly focusing on developing robots for caregiving in hospitals and hazardous job environments like disaster relief and construction. To propel these initiatives forward, Hyundai has made an exciting new acquisition in the realm of robotics.
Today, Hyundai announced its successful acquisition of a majority stake in the renowned robotics company Boston Dynamics from its current owner, Softbank. Hyundai will acquire an 80% stake in Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion, with Softbank’s affiliate retaining the remaining 20%. The deal is set to be finalized in June 2021.
Boston Dynamics gained fame for its creations like the animal-inspired robot Spot and the humanoid robot Atlas, which have wowed audiences with their remarkable feats of navigation, precision, and agility.
Hyundai Motor is to buy robot maker Boston Dynamics from SoftBank https://t.co/boM4XttsUs pic.twitter.com/WWNi9rKUae
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 11, 2020
Hyundai’s interest in Boston Dynamics stems from the company’s advanced technologies in creating high-performance robots with capabilities in perception, navigation, and intelligence.
Moreover, the strategic acquisition will enable closer collaboration between the research teams at Boston Dynamics, located in Boston and Silicon Valley, and Hyundai, facilitating innovative advancements in robotics.
Robert Playter, the CEO of Boston Dynamics, is enthusiastic about joining forces with the long-standing Hyundai. He stated, “Boston Dynamics’ commercial business has grown rapidly as we’ve brought to market the first robot that can automate repetitive and dangerous tasks in workplaces designed for human-level mobility. We and Hyundai share a view of the transformational power of mobility and look forward to working together to accelerate our plans to enable the world with cutting edge automation, and to continue to solve the world’s hardest robotics challenges for our customers.”
