Atlas enters the industry: Boston Dynamics officially launches its first commercial humanoid robot

Industrial robotics has just entered a new era. Boston Dynamics revealed at CES 2026 in Las Vegas the production-ready version of its humanoid robot Atlas, marking the end of a decade of laboratory research and the beginning of large-scale deployment in real-world sectors.

From the laboratory to the factory: Boston Dynamics’ bet

“Now is the time to officially take Atlas out of the lab,” declared Zachary Jackowski, Vice President and General Manager of Humanoid Robots at Boston Dynamics, during the event. This announcement is not merely symbolic: it consolidates over ten years of development that began with the first prototype in 2013, accelerated by recent advances in artificial intelligence that made real commercial deployment feasible.

The initial deployments will reach facilities of Hyundai and Google DeepMind, with expectations to expand to new clients in 2027. Hyundai Motor Group owns approximately 80% of the robotics company, an acquisition made from SoftBank for $880 million in 2021, solidifying its position as a key player in the global humanoid race.

Capabilities designed for industry

The humanoid robot Atlas was specifically conceived for manufacturing tasks: material handling, order fulfillment, and operations requiring constant precision. Its technical specifications reflect this focus: it can lift up to 110 pounds and has an approximate reach of 2.3 meters, allowing it to work more efficiently than human operators in environments where every second impacts productivity.

The physical design was also deliberate. Its head and face were intentionally configured to avoid excessive “humanization”—Boston Dynamics prioritized communicating its robotic nature to those working alongside it. Unlike other projects aiming to emulate human movements, Atlas was optimized for pure industrial efficiency.

Regarding autonomy, the robot operates for about four hours using two interchangeable batteries. When depleted, it automatically navigates to its charging station, swaps batteries on its own, and returns to work without human intervention.

Artificial intelligence as a catalyst

The collaboration between Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind represents a turning point. DeepMind developed its Gemini Robotics models specifically to bring artificial intelligence into the physical world. By integrating these models into Atlas, the company enhances its ability to perceive the environment, execute complex tasks, and operate with greater autonomy.

“We are excited to work with Boston Dynamics to explore what is possible with Atlas as we develop new models to expand the impact of robotics,” said Carolina Parada, Senior Director of Robotics at Google DeepMind.

The market takes off: ambitious projections

Global investment in humanoid robots has accelerated significantly. Companies like Tesla, Hyundai, and Nvidia are expanding pilot programs and mobilizing capital toward manufacturing and logistics. A Morgan Stanley analysis from May 2025 projects that the humanoid robot market could surpass $5 trillion by 2050, with over one billion units in operation, mainly in industrial and commercial roles.

This growth is led by innovations in design—including competitors like the Unitree G1 robot developed in China—but Boston Dynamics aims to establish itself as a benchmark through its focus on real deployment and continuous improvement driven by AI.

The launch of Atlas, then, marks not only a technical milestone for Boston Dynamics but also a catalyst for global industrial transformation.