You possibly can promote Boston Dynamics, however you’ll be able to’t absolutely give up it. Almost a decade after Google bought the robotics firm to SoftBank, the 2 are working collectively once more, saying at CES 2026 that DeepMind will assist make Atlas smarter with its Gemini Robotics basis fashions.
The occasion additionally featured Boston Dynamics’ first-ever public demo of Atlas, the debut of a productized model of the humanoid, plans for a robotic coaching middle, and a roadmap to deploy Atlas in Hyundai factories worldwide.
First public demo of Atlas
The teleoperated Atlas demo was low-key however served as a becoming CES opener, giving a glimpse into the robotic’s future. The model demoed was the electrical prototype launched in early 2024.
“For the primary time ever in public, please welcome Atlas to the stage,” stated Zack Jackowski, GM of Atlas at Boston Dynamics.
It stood, walked, waved, spun, bent, and waved once more earlier than exiting. Later, a glossy, blue, product-ready model was revealed behind a curtain. You possibly can watch the demo atop the web page. Boston Dynamics is working extra demos, each autonomous and teleoperated, at its CES sales space all through the week.
Marc Raibert, Boston Dynamics founder and government director of the Robotics and AI Institute, attended the occasion. His presence, uncommon for CES, highlighted the significance of the announcement, which was attended by executives from Hyundai Motor Group, Boston Dynamics’ guardian firm since its $880 million acquisition in December 2020.
The prototype Atlas (left) helped unveil the brand new, productized model of Atlas at CES 2026. | Credit score: Hyundai
Partnering with Google DeepMind on AI
Whereas the demo stole the present, the partnership with Google DeepMind is extra essential. For humanoids to satisfy their promise as multi-purpose options, they have to transfer past pre-programmed routines. Advances in AI and robotic studying may give Atlas the intelligence to adapt to quite a lot of duties and environments.
Boston Dynamics has more and more relied on teleoperation, imitation studying, and simulation to coach Atlas reasonably than hand-coded programming. Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, stated the business is simply scratching the floor of what’s potential with AI.
“Duties that require sure sensors the robotic doesn’t have are nonetheless restricted,” she stated. “However the robotic can be taught virtually something you’ll be able to persistently display by teleoperation.”
Aaron Saunders stepped down as CTO of Boston Dynamics in November 2025. He spent almost twenty years on the firm. In November 2025, he introduced he was becoming a member of Google DeepMind as VP of robotics {hardware} engineering.
Boston Dynamics lately accomplished an Atlas proof of idea for Hyundai on components sequencing. At CES, Hyundai outlined potential purposes past automotive, together with development, vitality, and amenities administration. Accumulating real-world knowledge is dear, Parada stated, so DeepMind is exploring strategies that enable Atlas to be taught while not having to see each object upfront.
To help this, Boston Dynamics and Hyundai introduced the Robotic Metaplant Software Heart (RMAC), opening in 2026. Knowledge collected from Hyundai factories will feed the RMAC, making a managed surroundings for Atlas to coach on advanced duties.
“No firm has extra real-world knowledge than Hyundai Motor Group,” stated Wong Jae Lee.
Boston Dynamics additionally collaborates on AI with Toyota Analysis Institute and the Robotics and AI Institute, the latter funded by Hyundai. At press time, it was unclear how the DeepMind partnership will have an effect on these relationships, however modifications could also be coming.
“The work left to automate is tough as a result of the duties differ a lot,” Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter stated. “That’s the place AI is available in.”
Comparability of the previous electrical Atlas (left) and new manufacturing model. | Credit score: Humanoid Hub
Scaling the brand new Atlas
The brand new productized Atlas launched at CES is 6.2 ft tall, has a 7.5-foot attain, absolutely rotational joints, and may carry as much as 110 kilos. It options 56 levels of freedom, an IP67 score, a brand new four-fingered hand, and a regular battery life of 4 hours, with the power to swap batteries autonomously. Atlas might be operated autonomously, teleoperated by way of VR headset, or managed with a pill.
Boston Dynamics stated it centered on simplifying the design of the brand new model.
“We restricted the variety of motors used all through the robotic to remove complexity. Furthermore, all of Atlas’ limbs might be changed within the area in underneath 5 minutes, for ease of service and restore. From head to toe, every bit of Atlas’ {hardware} was constructed to scale back failure factors and allow simple upgrades. There may even be coaching and certification paths to empower your onsite upkeep groups to keep up your fleet.”
“This era of Atlas considerably reduces the quantity of distinctive components within the robotic, and each part has been designed for compatibility with automotive provide chains. With Hyundai Motor Group’s backing, we’ll obtain the most effective reliability and economies of scale within the business.”
All items for 2026 are already dedicated, transport to the RMAC and Google DeepMind, with extra prospects deliberate for 2027. Hyundai goals to fabricate as much as 30,000 humanoids yearly by 2028. It stated Atlas shall be performing high-precision sequencing at scale in 2028 and complicated meeting duties slated for 2030.
“Our new Atlas is probably the most manufacturing pleasant robotic we’ve ever designed,” stated Jackowski. “This era of Atlas considerably reduces the quantity of distinctive components within the robotic, and each part has been designed for compatibility with automotive provide chains. With Hyundai Motor Group’s backing, we’ll obtain the most effective reliability and economies of scale within the business.”
“That is the most effective robotic we now have ever constructed,” stated Playter.
Humanoid hype
Playter famous the fast proliferation of humanoids within the final 3–5 years, however stated the business’s success will depend upon industrial maturity.
“We now have a crew for integration, service, and restore. Most different firms are doing demos or promoting robots as platforms, hoping another person solves the purposes. That’s not how we do it,” he stated.
Boston Dynamics stated it deployed over 500 robots in 2025, producing round $130 million in income throughout Spot quadrupeds and the Stretch trailer loading system. Playter stated the corporate’s expertise scaling quadrupeds offers classes for humanoids.
“Some firms are saying they wish to [deploy humanoids in the home first]. We expect that’s the unsuitable technique for a number of causes,” stated Playter, citing excessive prices, low capabilities, and a scarcity of security requirements. “I can’t wait to have a robotic assist carry me off the bed 20 years from now. We do wish to go into properties, simply not now.”
