Hyundai Motor Group is exploring deployment of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robots at its Czech manufacturing plant in Nosovice, positioning Europe as a second testbed after a targeted 2028 US rollout, according to an interview with plant administration head Petr Michnik published by the Korea Herald.
Key points
- Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech in Nosovice discussing Atlas deployment with Boston Dynamics and group headquarters
- Plant operates 566 industrial robots, more than double the count from 20 years ago, and automation replaced tasks of about 200 workers who were reassigned
- US operations slated for humanoid robot deployment in 2028 — Czech facility would become second testbed
- EU working-age population projected to decline 13% between 2022 and 2060, driving demand for advanced automation
- European rollout faces stricter worker-protection regulations and precautionary principle requiring comprehensive risk assessments
Czech plant Nosovice discusses Atlas deployment with Boston Dynamics
Petr Michnik, head of the administration division at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech, said the plant is in discussions with Boston Dynamics and Hyundai headquarters about deploying Atlas humanoid robots. “We hope that testing and operating humanoid robots in the Czech Republic can also begin as soon as possible,” Michnik told the Czech-based Automotive Industry Association. He did not specify a concrete timeline for testing in active production lines. The Nosovice plant, established in 2009, is Hyundai’s sole automotive manufacturing facility within the European Union and produces the Tucson SUV, Kona SUV and i30 SUV.
566 industrial robots already operate at Czech facility
Automation at the Czech plant has advanced significantly, with 566 robots now in operation — more than double the number from two decades ago. According to the company, automation has taken over the tasks of approximately 200 workers, all of whom were reassigned to other roles. Michnik described humanoids as the logical evolution of automation and projected they could be adopted on factory floors sooner than autonomous driving cars reach public roads. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun visited the Nosovice plant on 19 September 2024.
EU demographic decline drives humanoid robotics demand
Europe’s demographic trajectory underpins the commercial case for humanoid robotics. An EU report cited by AFP on 14 July projects the population of the 27 member states will peak at 453.3 million in 2029 before declining to below 400 million by 2100, an 11.7% decrease from the current 450.6 million. Eurostat’s 2023 projection forecasts a 13% decline in the EU working-age population (aged 15-64) between 2022 and 2060. Chang Tai-woo, industrial engineering professor at Kyonggi University, noted Eastern Europe is hit harder by migration to Western Europe, making the potential for humanoid robotics “exceptionally high.” Unlike the technology-led US market, European demand is driven by acute labour necessity.
Union negotiations and precautionary principle shape European rollout
Hyundai faces union pushback in South Korea over Atlas deployment and must navigate Europe’s stricter regulatory environment. Chang Tai-woo contrasted the US approach, where automation proceeds with fewer hurdles absent a specific collective bargaining agreement, with Europe’s precautionary principle mandating comprehensive risk assessments. The Czech plant’s union will likely negotiate the operational impact of Atlas. Michnik stated the goal extends beyond labour cost reduction to boosting manufacturing quality and creating a safer, less physically demanding environment. Han Jae-kwon, robotics engineering professor at Hanyang University and CTO of AeiROBOT, said Hyundai’s own facilities serve as initial buyers to “pump up early demand” before targeting broader industrial supply.
The Czech plant operates 566 industrial robots today, a figure that has more than doubled over two decades while the workforce was reassigned rather than reduced.
