
Hyundai to employ humanoid Atlas robots at U.S. plant in Georgia
SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor group will use humanoid robots at a U.S. factory, with the goal of automating 40% of vehicle assembly work by the end of this year.
The Atlas robots are being deployed at Hyundai's new Metaplant America facility in Georgia. The android, developed by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics, stands on two feet and can bend and stretch its arms like a human.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Japan Times
4 days ago
- Japan Times
Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year, source says
Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year, and it does not expect any near-term impact from global supply chain disruptions caused by China's export curbs, said a person who attended a company investor call. China's decision in April to restrict exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has tripped up the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. The stockpiling by Hyundai, the world's No.3 automaker along with its affiliate Kia, indicates it is better-placed than many competitors to withstand restrictions that have already impacted production or the supplier network of companies including Ford and BMW. A Hyundai investor relations official said the South Korean automaker had "far more wiggle room" than rivals with regard to rare earths-related supply chain issues affecting the industry, according to the attendee on the investor call, which was not open to the public. The official told investors Hyundai's efforts to diversify supply chains and improve procurement had succeeded, and the company expected to be able to produce electric vehicles or hybrid cars without disruptions "for at least about one year," the attendee said. Hyundai also significantly boosted its rare earths inventories during a recent period when China had slightly relaxed its export restrictions, the official said, according to the attendee who spoke on condition of anonymity because the call was private. The South Korean automaker's stockpile of the key minerals had not been reported previously. It was not clear whether the inventory was solely stockpiled by Hyundai and its affiliate Kia or also included stocks held by their suppliers. In a statement, Hyundai declined to comment on specific inventory details or procurement strategies. "We continuously evaluate market conditions to ensure operational stability and maintain a diversified global supply chain," Hyundai said. "As part of our standard business practices, we maintain appropriate inventory levels to support uninterrupted production." China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, which are essential for the production of vehicles, especially electric vehicle motors. Hyundai Motor Group also holds about a one-year inventory of rare earths-related magnets needed for its mainstay EVs and hybrid vehicles, said a person familiar with the matter, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject. China's dominance of the critical mineral industry is increasingly viewed as a key point of leverage for Beijing in the trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.


Japan Today
5 days ago
- Japan Today
TikTok to increase investment in Britain
Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month TikTok plans to raise its investment in the UK, its biggest community in Europe, with the creation of 500 more jobs, the Chinese-owned social media giant announced Monday. The news coincided with the start of London's Tech Week, which sees British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcoming some of sector's biggest firms. "TikTok's UK workforce will grow to 3,000 this year with the addition of more than 500 jobs," the company said in a statement. It added that it was investing in a new London office, set to open next year, and whose size will dwarf its current UK head office. It will take TikTok's investment in UK infrastructure to around £140 million ($190 million), the group said. Around half the UK population, more than 30 million people, use TikTok each month, making it the platform's "largest user-community in Europe", the statement added. "Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we're pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK," said Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety. TikTok has been in the crosshairs of Western governments for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes. "What underpins our continued growth is our deep commitment to safety and to creating an enjoyable and secure digital space to sustainably support creators, entrepreneurs and the wider economy, which is why we also invest significantly in safety," Presser added Monday. © 2025 AFP


Yomiuri Shimbun
07-06-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Billion-Dollar Battery Plant Pauses Construction Amid Electric Vehicle and Tariff Uncertainty
Daily News via AP/FILE AESC Group CEO Shoichi Matsumoto speaks at the 'Topping Out' structural completion milestone ceremony for the 1.6 million-square-foot AESC gigafactory being constructed in the Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green, Ky., on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Japanese company has halted construction on a $1.6 billion factory in South Carolina to help make batteries for electric BMWs, citing 'policy and market uncertainty.' While Automotive Energy Supply Corp. didn't specify what those problems are, South Carolina's Republican governor said the company is dealing with the potential loss of federal tax breaks for electric vehicle buyers and incentives for EV businesses as well as tariff uncertainties from President Donald Trump's administration. 'What we're doing is urging caution — let things play out because all of the these changes are taking place,' Gov. Henry McMaster said. AESC announced the suspension in construction of its plant in Florence on Thursday, 'Due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time,' the company's statement said. AESC promised to restart construction, although it didn't say when, and vowed to meet its commitment to hire 1,600 workers and invest $1.6 billion. The company said it has already invested $1 billion in the Florence plant. The battery maker based in Japan also has facilities in China, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany. In the U.S., AESC has a plant in Tennessee and is building one in Kentucky. The statement didn't mention any changes with other plants. The South Carolina plant is supposed to sell battery cells to BMW, which is building its own battery assembly site near its giant auto plant in Greer. BMW said the construction pause by AESC doesn't change its plans to open its plant in 2026. AESC has already rolled back its South Carolina plans. They announced a second factory on the Florence site, but then said earlier this year that their first plant should be able to handle BMW's demand. That prompted South Carolina officials to withdraw $111 million in help they planned to provide. The company is still getting $135 million in grants from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and $121 million in bonds and the agency said a construction pause won't prompt them to claw back that offer. South Carolina is investing heavily in electric vehicles. Volkswagen-owned Scout Motors plans to invest $2 billion and hire 4,000 people for a plant to build its new electric SUVs scheduled to open in 2027. The state has for decades made big bets on foreign manufacturers like BMW, Michelin and Samsung that have paid off with an economic boom this century, but there is uneasiness that Trump's flirtation with high tariffs might stagger or even ruin those important partnerships. McMaster told people to relax as state and business leaders are talking to Trump's administration and things will work out. 'I think the goal of the president and the administration is to have robust economic growth and prosperity and there is no doubt there has to be changes made in our international trade posture and President Trump is addressing that,' McMaster told reporters Thursday.