tech
Fear of humanoid robots spurs human workers to strike at Hyundai auto factory
Hyundai aims to deploy 25,000 Atlas robots starting with US factories in 2028.
TL;DR
- Thousands of unionized Hyundai auto workers in Ulsan, South Korea, have begun striking over the automaker's plans to deploy humanoid robots.
- This strike is considered the first factory stoppage by the car industry specifically addressing humanoid robots.
- Workers are demanding job security measures, including a shift to fixed salaries and an increase in the retirement age, amidst concerns over automation-driven job reductions.
- Hyundai plans to deploy over 25,000 Atlas humanoid robots, starting with its US factories in 2028, with the first deployment at Metaplant America in Georgia.
- Other automakers, including Tesla and BMW, are also exploring or piloting the use of humanoid robots in their manufacturing plants.
- The automotive industry has a long history of adopting industrial robots, with over 1 million in factories globally by 2021.