The National Metal Workers’ Union Hyundai Motor Branch (Hyundai Motor Union) is demanding an explanation from the company regarding its plans to introduce humanoid robots ahead of wage and collective bargaining negotiations.
According to industry sources on Feb. 12, the Hyundai Motor Union is reviewing a plan to demand a special briefing from the company on the introduction of the humanoid robot Atlas. This is interpreted as an intent to confirm the company’s specific introduction plans and secure grounds for opposing the adoption of Atlas.
The labor sector views that collective bargaining must precede the introduction of Atlas. The Hyundai Motor Union is also reportedly considering requesting a briefing as a preliminary step before discussing agenda items related to robot introduction in wage and collective bargaining negotiations.
Boston Dynamics, Hyundai Motor’s robotics subsidiary, unveiled Atlas at CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, USA last month. Capable of lifting 50kg and moving like a human, it was evaluated as being at a level ready for deployment in manufacturing sites.
Atlas is scheduled to be introduced first at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) starting in 2028. It will be deployed in parts sorting and logistics processes, with the goal of deployment in parts assembly processes from 2030.
Assuming long-term use, Atlas is expected to be cheaper compared to labor costs. The average annual salary of Hyundai Motor and Kia production workers (including performance bonuses) is approximately 120 million won (around $82,758), while Atlas costs are estimated at a production cost of 200 million won plus maintenance costs of around 15 million won annually.
The union is reacting sensitively to whether Atlas will be introduced.
The union has two major concerns. The first is the possibility that Hyundai Motor may transfer domestic production volume to HMGMA after introducing Atlas there. Hyundai Motor plans to first expand its annual production capacity of 300,000 units to 500,000 units by 2028.
There is also an atmosphere that the possibility of introduction in domestic plants cannot be ruled out once validation is completed in the United States. One Hyundai Motor union member said, “Full-scale introduction may take time, but there are also voices saying that partial introduction is an unavoidable future.”
Regarding this, the Hyundai Motor Union stated on the 22nd of last month, “Employment shock is expected when (Atlas) mass production and deployment to production sites occur,” adding, “Not even a single unit can be brought in without labor-management agreement.”
The Kia Union also stated through its newsletter on the 10th, “The plan to deploy the humanoid robot Atlas is not innovation but a declaration of worker dismissal,” and “Immediately abolish the Atlas introduction plan that invites employment crisis for workers.”
Analysis also suggests that there may be an underlying intent to gain an advantage in future collective agreement negotiations, given that the union is presenting active opposition in a situation where it is difficult to introduce robots to domestic plants in the short term.
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