Hyundai Motor Group Acquires 100% Stake in Boston Dynamics to Boost Robotics Competitiveness

Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating its physical AI competitiveness by securing a 100% stake in its robotics subsidiary, Boston Dynamics.

Hyundai Motor Group announced today (July 16) that it has exercised its put option (the right to demand the purchase of common shares) for the 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics held by Japan's SoftBank, in accordance with a contract signed in 2020.

The current ownership structure consists of Hyundai Motor (28%), Kia (17.2%), Hyundai Mobis (11.3%), Hyundai Glovis (11.25%), Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung (22.6%), and SoftBank (9.65%).

With this move, Hyundai Motor Group will fully own 100% of the company, approximately five years after completing the acquisition of a controlling stake (80%) from SoftBank for 1 trillion won in 2021.

The shareholder companies of Hyundai Motor Group are currently reviewing specific acquisition plans following the obligation to purchase the stake.

Hyundai Motor Group stated, "As part of our long-term robotics strategy, we have been reviewing ways to expand investment and cooperation in Boston Dynamics," adding, "We expect this stake acquisition to serve as an important turning point to increase the speed of future decision-making and business execution."

Hyundai Motor Group plans to strengthen its robotics business competitiveness through this acquisition.

Boston Dynamics is pursuing the commercialization of its humanoid robot, Atlas, and is expanding related businesses with the goal of mass production by 2028.

The group plans to deploy Atlas at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) to conduct verification by process unit.

It will be deployed for sequencing tasks for parts sorting in 2028, and the scope of work will be expanded to parts assembly starting in 2030.

Furthermore, industry observers predict that this stake acquisition could also provide momentum for Boston Dynamics' initial public offering (IPO).

The market currently values Boston Dynamics at over 30 trillion won.

This is 24 times the valuation of 1.1 billion dollars (approximately 1.2482 trillion won) when Hyundai Motor Group completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics in June 2021.

Considering this situation, it is reported that Hyundai Motor Group is reviewing various options for an IPO, including a listing on the U.S. Nasdaq market.

Previously, Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang stated at CES 2026 regarding a potential IPO for Boston Dynamics that the company is "keeping various possibilities open."

Chairman Chung, who holds a 22.6% stake in Boston Dynamics, is expected to secure capital that could be used for inheriting stakes in group affiliates.

(Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.