LAS VEGAS, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy humanoid

robots at its U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgia starting in 2028, marking a step toward

automating higher-risk and repetitive manufacturing tasks, the South Korean company ‌said.

Hyundai unveiled the production version of the Atlas humanoid robot, developed by its unit

Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show ​in Las Vegas on Monday.

The company did not disclose the volume or cost of the ‍robots, but said in a statement it

aims to roll out adoption ⁠across all of ⁠its manufacturing sites as part of a push into "physical

AI."

The robots will initially carry out parts sequencing tasks from 2028, with ‌applications

expanding gradually as safety and quality benefits are ​validated, it said.

By 2030, Hyundai said Atlas robots were expected to move into component assembly with a

longer-term plan to take on tasks involving heavy loads, ⁠repetitive motions and complex

operations across production sites.

The ‍robots are designed ​to reduce physical strain on workers by taking on higher-risk and

repetitive tasks, laying the groundwork for broader commercial use in industrial settings, it

added.

At Hyundai Motor's ( HYMLF ) affiliate Kia ‍Corp, the labour union last year called to

establish a body to address potential labour rights issues in preparation for the AI era, as

workers raised concerns about expanding automation.

Hyundai Motor's ( HYMLF ) vice chair Jaehoon Chang said at CES that the company understands concerns

about job losses, but people will be needed to maintain and train the robots, and additional

personnel will be required.

The ​company expects ‍humanoid robots to become the largest segment of the physical artificial

intelligence market, which refers to AI systems embedded in hardware that collect real-world

data and make autonomous decisions, ​spanning areas such as robotics, smart factories and

autonomous driving.

Some automakers see an overlap between autonomous driving and robotics, because similar

sensing, perception and decision-making technologies underpin both aspects of the emerging field

of embodied AI.

Atlas features human-scale hands with tactile sensing and has the ability to lift up to 50

kilograms (110 pounds), according to Hyundai.

The robot can operate autonomously and is designed to function in industrial environments

ranging from minus 20 ​degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.

Hyundai said it is accelerating development in this area through partnerships with global AI

leaders, including a collaboration with Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Google, aimed at improving

safety, efficiency and real-world deployment.