Hyundai
Hyundai hires Tesla's former Optimus head for Boston Dynamics
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Milan Kovac, the former head of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot program, as a group adviser and outside director for its robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics. The move comes amid Hyundai's push into advanced robotics following the unveiling of its next-generation Atlas robot at CES 2026. Kovac's departure from Tesla in June 2025 had already disrupted the company's humanoid robot efforts.
Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled the Ioniq V, its first production model under the Ioniq brand for China, at the 2026 Beijing auto show. The vehicle is built on a platform jointly developed with Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group) and features a battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL). It offers more than 600 kilometers on a single charge.
Reported by AI
Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 3, a fully electric compact hatchback aimed at urban drivers. The vehicle boasts a 300-mile range, an aerodynamic design dubbed Aero Hatch, and a spacious interior. It slots between the Inster supermini and Ioniq 5 crossover in the lineup.
Boston Dynamics unveiled an advanced electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot at CES in Las Vegas, positioning it as a rival to Tesla's Optimus. Hyundai, the robot's parent company, announced plans to mass-produce 30,000 units annually from 2028 for use in its car plants. The deployment aims to assist human workers in tasks like parts sequencing, with broader applications by 2030.
Reported by AI
Imported vehicles, spearheaded by Tesla, are approaching a 20% share of the South Korean automotive market. In response to a domestic sales slump and rising imports, Hyundai is reorganizing its leadership structure. This development highlights growing competition in the local industry.