--- title: "The next trillion-dollar track \"humanoid robots\" who will dominate? Hyundai challenges Tesla's \"Optimus\" with \"Atlas\"" type: "News" locale: "zh-HK" url: "https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/277139797.md" description: "Hyundai showcased its humanoid robot \"Atlas\" at the CES exhibition, generating a strong market response, with its stock price soaring 80% in two weeks. The robot demonstrates smooth movements and precise control, positioning Hyundai as a leader in the robotics field. Humanoid robots share similarities with electric vehicle technology, and the future market potential is enormous, with an expected market size of $5 trillion by 2050. Hyundai has invested billions of dollars in its robotics division and is actively recruiting top talent to address the transformation in the automotive industry" datetime: "2026-02-27T04:14:03.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/277139797.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/277139797.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/277139797.md) --- > 支持的語言: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/277139797.md) | [English](https://longbridge.com/en/news/277139797.md) # The next trillion-dollar track "humanoid robots" who will dominate? Hyundai challenges Tesla's "Optimus" with "Atlas" When Euisun Chung, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, took the stage at the 2022 International Consumer Electronics Show with the robotic dog "Spot," an audience member asked when the company would drop the word "automobile" from its name. It now seems that moment may have already arrived. According to Zhitong Finance APP, at last month's CES held in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor stole the spotlight with its humanoid robot "Atlas." During the demonstration, the robot showcased human-like agility: it could get up on its own, walk freely on stage, and its torso and head rotated with astonishing precision, making its movements extremely natural. The market response was enthusiastic, and Hyundai's stock price soared by 80% in the following two weeks. As global attention focuses on Elon Musk's long-promised "Optimus" robot and the AI race between China and the U.S., Hyundai has quietly become a leader in the humanoid robot field. For automakers like Tesla (TSLA.US) and Hyundai, the underlying technology of humanoid robots and electric vehicles is almost identical: both are battery-powered, motor-controlled, and navigate through sensors and artificial intelligence. This allows them to leverage their technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities to gain a competitive edge in a market that Morgan Stanley predicts could reach $5 trillion by 2050 (with over 1 billion humanoid robots potentially in use worldwide). Although the primary goal currently is to use humanoid robots on assembly lines to reduce labor costs, the potential market is also vast as robots enter warehousing, manufacturing, and even elder care and home assistance. Known for producing economical, reliable, and durable vehicles, Hyundai Motor has invested billions into its robotics division since acquiring Boston Dynamics, the developer of "Spot," in 2021, and is actively recruiting top talent from companies like Tesla and NVIDIA. In the context of significant upheaval in the global automotive industry, venturing into robotics may be a necessary choice for Hyundai. As the transition to electric vehicles faces obstacles, European and American automakers are incurring losses of billions of dollars; meanwhile, tariffs from the Trump administration and the rise of Chinese manufacturers are putting pressure on Hyundai in the two largest automotive markets globally. Additionally, despite years of substantial investment, the rollout of its autonomous driving and self-driving taxi platform has repeatedly been delayed, adding further pressure on the company. From a technical perspective, "Atlas" is nothing short of a miracle: it has tactile sensing capabilities, hands proportionate to a human's, and fully rotatable joints. Its load capacity is up to 50 kilograms and can operate in extreme environments ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Hyundai plans to first deploy "Atlas" in 2028 for high-repetition tasks, such as preparing automotive parts, and by 2030, apply it to more complex assembly work. James Hong, an analyst at Macquarie Securities Korea, believes that with a clear deployment timeline and Hyundai's vast manufacturing infrastructure as a backing, the company is poised to set a new benchmark for the commercialization of humanoid robots "They have the right elements and a management team that knows how to execute," Hong said. "Of course, execution and speed are crucial, but the reality is that most global automakers don't even have those basic elements from the start." Analysts view "Atlas" as a formidable challenger to Tesla's "Optimus," citing its superior technical specifications, including higher load capacity, readiness for mass production, and strategic partnerships established with Nvidia and Google DeepMind. They stated that "Atlas" will help Hyundai cut labor costs, which account for about 10% of its revenue, by operating around the clock and enhancing worker safety and efficiency on the production line. Of course, it cannot be ignored that, according to research firm Omdia, Chinese manufacturers currently dominate the humanoid robot market, with Chinese companies accounting for the vast majority of the approximately 13,000 humanoid robots shipped globally last year. Humanoid robots from China are also cheaper than those made in the West, with the latest robot from Yushu Technology priced at just $4,900, while a simplified version from Zhiyuan Robotics costs about $14,000. ## Cost Advantage Although Hyundai has not publicly disclosed its pricing strategy, Samsung Securities analyst Esther Yim stated that Boston Dynamics briefed analysts during CES that the initial price of the robot could be between $130,000 and $140,000—this price point would ensure a return on investment within two years. Yim added that once production exceeds 10,000 units, the price could drop by as much as 50%. Macquarie Securities' Hong pointed out that if the price drops to $100,000, "Atlas" would have an operating cost of about $5.10 per hour. This is below the U.S. federal minimum wage of $7.25 and far lower than the typical hourly wage of $20 to $38 in auto factories. He stated that by 2028, humanoid robots could replace 3 to 4 million assembly workers globally. It is this data that has excited investors. Within two weeks of "Atlas" debuting, Hyundai's stock price was pushed to an all-time high—at one point surpassing General Motors to become the fourth largest automaker by market capitalization globally. Although the stock price has since retreated from its peak, earlier this month, the company released a video showcasing "Atlas" completing a side flip and backflip, highlighting its agility and lifelike movements, which further boosted the stock price. DAOL Investment Securities analyst Yoo Jiwoong noted that "Atlas" stands out with its 50-kilogram load capacity, compared to the 20-kilogram load capacities of "Optimus" and Figure AI's robots. This makes it the only humanoid robot that can be deployed in all manufacturing sites, including heavy vehicle factories. Nevertheless, Tesla, as an end-to-end platform, has a price advantage without needing external help, while Hyundai relies on Nvidia chips and third-party AI developers. DS Investment Securities analyst Choi TaeYong and others believe that the so-called "Nvidia tax" and costs paid to other suppliers will erode Hyundai's profit margins "But even if Tesla can produce 1 million humanoid robots annually by 2030, it will not be enough to meet global demand," Choi said. "The market needs a large 'runner-up' company to fill the gap and benefit from technology spillover effects, and Hyundai Motor is at the forefront of this competition." KB Securities analyst Kang Seongjin and others stated that the latest video of "Atlas" shows that it can quickly adjust from failed jumps or imperfect landings, indicating that the robot has reached a level where it can be deployed to industrial sites without separate on-site training and has the ability to respond independently to emergencies in real-world environments. "Hyundai Motor is the most prominent alternative, capable of sharing the long-term value of autonomous driving and robotics that has been monopolized by Tesla," Kang said. "It has a clear vision for robotics, but its market value is only one-twentieth of Tesla's, making it a highly attractive option for investing in the field of 'physical artificial intelligence.'" ### 相關股票 - [Global X Autonomous & Electric V (DRIV.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/DRIV.US.md) - [Simplify Volt TSLA Revolution ETF (TESL.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TESL.US.md) - [T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF (TSLT.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSLT.US.md) - [GraniteShares 2x Long TSLA Daily ETF (TSLR.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSLR.US.md) - [GraniteShares 1.25 Long TSLA Daily ETF (TSL.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSL.US.md) - [Tesla (TSLA.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSLA.US.md) - [Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares (TSLL.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSLL.US.md) - [Leverage Shares 2X Long TSLA Daily ETF (TSLG.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/TSLG.US.md) - [First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Tech ETF (CARZ.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/CARZ.US.md) ## 相關資訊與研究 - [Elon Musk Says SpaceX Will Beat 'Everyone Else Combined' In AI, Warns Non-AI Firms Risk Extinction](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279383442.md) - [Musk found liable to Twitter shareholders in fraud lawsuit over $44 billion takeover, Bloomberg says](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279998260.md) - [Tesla Model Y L gets new entertainment feature](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279298211.md) - [Australia's Syrah, Tesla extend deadline to resolve alleged default in graphite supply deal](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279172614.md) - [What's Going On With Rivian Stock Monday](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279300541.md)