Hyundai is set to acquire SoftBank's remaining stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 million.

      Hyundai is set to acquire the final remaining share of Boston Dynamics that it does not currently hold. The South Korean automaker intends to purchase SoftBank’s 9.65% stake in the US robotics company for $325 million, a move that would make the creator of the Atlas humanoid robot a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai, as reported by a newspaper.

      This acquisition would conclude a chapter that began in 2021 when Hyundai obtained a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank. The Japanese company maintained a minority stake and has since indicated to Hyundai its desire to exercise a put option, which was established during the initial sale, allowing it to sell back its remaining share. Hyundai is expected to hold a board meeting on June 22 to approve the acquisition.

      Currently, the ownership distribution is heavily skewed, with the Hyundai Motor Group, which comprises Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, and Hyundai Glovis, along with executive chair Euisun Chung, owning just over 90% of Boston Dynamics. The proposed $325 million would eliminate SoftBank from the equity structure entirely, granting Hyundai complete control over one of the leading names in robotics.

      This timing is strategic as Boston Dynamics is at a crucial juncture, transitioning its electric Atlas humanoid from demonstration to commercial production, with its upcoming output dedicated to Hyundai. Plans have been established for a factory capable of producing 30,000 humanoids annually, and the Atlas is set to begin assembling parts at Hyundai’s Metaplant facility in Georgia. Full ownership will enable Hyundai to streamline this plan without a second shareholder.

      This strategy positions Hyundai in a rapidly growing sector. Humanoid robots are becoming a fiercely competitive area in technology, with Tesla advancing its Optimus toward mass production and numerous competitors, many from China, striving to commercialize their own robots.

      By acquiring Boston Dynamics outright, Hyundai achieves vertical integration: it becomes a car manufacturer that designs, builds, and utilizes robots on its own assembly lines.

      For SoftBank, this sale aligns with its practice of reallocating capital from mature investments to newer opportunities. The group has been investing heavily in AI and robotics, and invoking the put option allows it to turn a legacy investment into cash at a favorable valuation. This transaction also highlights the significant shift in control of Boston Dynamics from Japanese financial ownership to Korean industrial oversight.

      The deal is not finalized yet, pending board approval; the figures and structural details come from a newspaper report, not an official declaration. Neither Hyundai nor SoftBank has publicly confirmed the terms. The use of the pre-agreed put option, however, indicates that this transaction was anticipated by both parties rather than the result of a last-minute discussion.

      This investment is as much about industrial strategy as it is about technology. Hyundai is not acquiring Boston Dynamics to market robots to consumers but to secure a reliable supplier of automation for its manufacturing facilities, with Atlas intended to address repetitive assembly tasks that are difficult to staff and maintain.

      Owning the robotics company means Hyundai will reap the benefits of cost reductions on its production lines and any subsequent external sales instead of splitting profits with a financial backer. This consolidation strengthens an aspect of vertical integration that few competitors can replicate, as car manufacturers typically procure robots from third parties; Hyundai would design, fabricate, and implement its own robots, effectively bridging the research and production processes.

      In a humanoid market that has plenty of prototypes but lacks profitable applications, especially in light of China’s competitive robot market, gaining complete control is a strategy for transforming a renowned robotics brand into a competitive edge rather than merely a showcase.

      If approved, Hyundai will gain full ownership of a pioneering robotics firm at a pivotal moment when the technology is transitioning from mere spectacle to practical application. The $325 million investment may be modest relative to Hyundai’s broader aspirations, but the control it ensures is crucial: as robots are finally entering production floors, Hyundai aims to fully own the one it is banking on.