Hyundai Motor Group affiliate says performance powered by reinforcement learning, Atlas set for manufacturing validation at US plant

Atlas, Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot, performs a handstand and "L-sit". (Hyundai Motor Group)
Atlas, Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot, performs a handstand and "L-sit". (Hyundai Motor Group)

Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot Atlas is now athletic enough to perform complex calisthenics movements, signaling that deployment in real-world industrial environments may be closer than ever.

The robotics arm of Hyundai Motor Group released a video on its YouTube Shorts channel on Wednesday, in which the first development model of Atlas conducts difficult gymnastics moves in preparation for its training sessions scheduled in the United States.

The video starts with Atlas performing a nearly-straight handstand with barely any shaking. The humanoid robot then switches to an "L-sit," holding itself up with its hands while forming an L shape with its body and legs. Atlas holds the posture for around five seconds before flipping upright to stand back up.

Atlas supported its entire weight with two hands, meaning it barely had any ground contact. Boston Dynamics said this proves the robot's ability to not just balance itself but also the integrated, meticulous control of its body, core muscles and arm joints.

The company said the performance was built on "reinforce learning," a learning method based on repeated simulations and self-feedback that ultimately finds an optimized strategy for balance and movement.

Boston Dynamics said Atlas is now capable of relocating heavy objects and performing tasks with extreme flexibility, certifying the cutting-edge technology established so far. Flexibility and automated learning are generally considered two essential traits that maximize efficiency within real-life manufacturing sites.

The Shorts video was the first disclosure of the development model in motion, Boston Dynamics explained. Though the company had introduced the development model and the research model during CES 2026 in January, the contemporary development model was said to have been dysfunctional at that time.

Hyundai Motor Group said it plans to deploy the Atlas development model at its US plant in Georgia, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and conduct validation for each manufacturing stage.


shwang9@heraldcorp.com