Hyundai Motor and Kia have independently developed an “artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor,” which serves as the brain of robots, demonstrating robotics capabilities that encompass both hardware and software. Following the win of the Best Robot Award at CES 2026 by Atlas, the humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics under Hyundai Motor Group, the group has also unveiled proprietary AI chip technology, signaling that it is completing the technological foundation needed to realize “physical AI” (AI that moves in the real world).

Hyundai Motor and Kia announced on the 9th (local time) at “CES Foundry 2026” in Las Vegas, United States, that they have completed the development of an on-device (embedded in the device) AI chip in collaboration with DeepX, a Korean AI semiconductor specialist. This chip enables computation directly on the device without a network connection. Based on this, Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to build a physical AI infrastructure in which robots autonomously make decisions and act in real-world physical environments.

The newly developed AI chip performs real-time data detection, recognition, and decision-making functions at low power of under 5W. As it does not route through a cloud server, it offers fast response speeds, can operate in areas with unstable connectivity such as underground or logistics centers, and is highly secure. Hyun Dongjin, Head of the Robotics Lab (Managing Director) at Hyundai Motor and Kia, said, “From June 2024, we have test-applied the self-developed AI controller to the facial recognition system and delivery robots at ‘Factorial Seongsu,’ a robot-friendly smart building, to verify its performance.”


Industry observers assess that by internalizing this chip, the companies have secured both price competitiveness and supply chain stability, which are crucial for mass production of robots. By reducing dependence on external general-purpose chips and building optimized solutions for their own robots, the strategy is to strengthen technological leadership in the global robotics market. Chip production is expected to proceed using a model in which DeepX outsources manufacturing to foundry companies.

Together with advancement in chip technology, the group’s hardware capabilities have also gained recognition on the global stage. Atlas received the “Best Robot Award” selected by global IT-specialized media outlet CNET. CNET highly praised Atlas’s natural walking capabilities and design, focusing on its level of completeness as a mass-production model intended for deployment in actual manufacturing sites.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy the next-generation Atlas in 2028 at Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, United States. Initially, it will start with validated processes such as sequencing parts in order, and by 2030, its role will be expanded to handling heavy objects of up to 50kg and performing complex assembly tasks. Atlas is designed to acquire new tasks through AI-based learning. By showcasing both a dedicated robot chipset and advanced humanoid technology at this year’s CES, Hyundai Motor and Kia are accelerating the establishment of a robotics ecosystem and the application of robots in industrial sites. A Hyundai Motor Group official said, “For resolving social challenges such as aging populations, industrial safety, and labor shortages, actual on-site operation of robots is essential,” adding, “With the on-device AI chip developed this time, we will be able to build a stable physical AI infrastructure.”

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