Hyundai Says Humanoid Robot Plan Not Related to Striking Workers' Talks

Hyundai Motor has denied media reports that partial strikes by the union at its largest auto plant in South Korea were triggered by plans to introduce humanoid robots. According to the company's statement, the union's demands focus on pay issues—raising salaries, bonuses, and increasing the retirement age. The introduction of robots is not part of the current negotiations. Currently, the company's plan only involves an initial deployment of Atlas robots at the Metaplant America factory in Georgia in 2028. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, the union is making unprecedented demands for job protection in the era of robots and artificial intelligence, and some compensation demands are seen as insurance against reduced working hours due to automation. Earlier, the union warned Hyundai about the need for negotiations after the Atlas robot was showcased at the CES exhibition in January. The union stated that without an agreement, no robot using new technologies would be allowed on the factory floor. Now, management and the union are considering a proposal for pay reform that would ensure income stability even after the introduction of robots, although experts warn that switching to fixed salaries could reduce productivity. The Atlas robot was developed by Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of Hyundai.