In a bold stand against automation, the Hyundai Motor Union in South Korea has vowed to block the deployment of humanoid robots in its factories without prior consultation. The union, representing nearly 40,000 workers, made this declaration on Friday, emphasizing that no such robots will enter production lines until a formal agreement is reached with management.
The controversy centers around Hyundai’s new ‘Atlas’ humanoid robot, unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas earlier this month. Developed by Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai subsidiary, this bipedal robot with human-like dexterity has sparked fears of job losses among factory workers. ‘The company is clearly aiming to slash labor costs by introducing AI robots into production facilities,’ the union stated on its website, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Hyundai’s ambitious plans add fuel to the fire. The automaker intends to build a robot factory in the US by 2028, producing 30,000 Atlas units annually for manufacturing tasks. Meanwhile, domestic plants are already struggling with reduced output as production shifts to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, where capacity is set to expand from 100,000 to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2028.
Union leaders highlighted these overseas expansions as a direct threat to local jobs. ‘Our two home plants are reeling from production shortfalls due to transfers abroad,’ they warned. This resistance underscores a broader tension in the auto industry between technological advancement and workforce protection.
Despite the labor unrest, Hyundai Motor Group celebrated recent triumphs. Its brands, Hyundai and Kia, secured seven awards at the 2026 What Car? Awards in the UK, dominating SUV and electric vehicle categories, alongside accolades in the US. As robots like Atlas promise efficiency gains, the union’s defiance signals that workers won’t go quietly into obsolescence.
