Hyundai Motor’s labour union in South Korea warned the automaker on Thursday not to deploy humanoid robots without union consent, saying such moves could trigger “employment shocks” for workers.
The warning came after Hyundai said it plans to begin deploying humanoid robots in 2028, a strategy that has helped lift the company’s shares to record highs but has raised concerns among employees. In an internal letter, the union said no robots using new technologies would be allowed to enter workplaces without a prior labour–management agreement.
Hyundai Motor Group earlier this month unveiled the production version of its Atlas humanoid robot, developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The group has said it aims to build a factory capable of producing 30,000 robots a year by 2028 and plans to introduce humanoid robots at its U.S. plant in Georgia from that year, with broader deployment across its global production sites to follow.
The union accused Hyundai of using robot deployment as a way to cut labour costs and boost profits, warning that large-scale adoption could undermine job security.
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