Hyundai Motor Group is strategically advancing its manufacturing capabilities by establishing specialized units focused on its software-defined factory (SDF) strategy and dedicated robot component procurement. These initiatives are integral to the group’s comprehensive plan to integrate advanced Atlas humanoid robots into its automotive manufacturing facilities, according to industry sources on Monday.
As part of this significant push, Hyundai Motor Group recently created a new leadership role to oversee its SDF initiative. Alpesh Patel, who currently serves as chief innovation officer at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, has been appointed to this pivotal position.
An SDF fundamentally transforms a factory environment, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and sophisticated software to control and manage critical operations such as production, quality assurance, and logistics.
This strategic organizational restructuring is seen as a crucial initial step towards the widespread implementation of Hyundai Motor Group’s innovative SDF strategy across its extensive global manufacturing network.
Previously, Hyundai Motor Group publicly announced ambitious plans to establish facilities capable of producing 30,000 humanoid robots annually by 2028. The ultimate goal is to deploy approximately 25,000 of these advanced robots across various Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia manufacturing plants worldwide.
The Atlas humanoid robot, a groundbreaking creation from the group’s U.S. subsidiary Boston Dynamics Inc., made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. Under the current deployment strategy, Atlas robots will initially be assigned to parts sequencing operations at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, commencing in 2028. By 2030, their responsibilities are projected to expand significantly to include more complex parts assembly tasks.
Beyond its initial deployment, Hyundai Motor Group intends to progressively expand the integration of these robots into new factory locations, including strategic sites in India and South Korea.
In a related development, the Hyundai Motor Group has also formed a new dedicated office focused exclusively on robotics component procurement. This crucial department will be led by Soh Hyun-seong, former head of strategic planning at Beijing Hyundai, as confirmed by industry sources.
This move to strengthen internal procurement capabilities comes as Boston Dynamics gears up for the mass production of the Atlas robot. The dedicated procurement office is expected to play a vital role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and improving overall cost competitiveness for the group’s robotics initiatives.
