> At a Glance
> – Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind are joining forces to advance Atlas, the next-gen humanoid robot.
> – The deal pairs DeepMind’s AI foundation models with Atlas hardware already heading to a Hyundai plant.
> – Commercial robots like Spot and Stretch have already logged real-world mileage: Spot works in 40+ countries, Stretch has unloaded 20 million boxes since 2023.
> Why it matters: The partners aim to create the “world’s most advanced robot foundation model,” pushing humanoids from impressive movers to helpful co-workers.
Boston Dynamics used its Monday moment at Hyundai’s CES 2026 press conference to reveal a research pact with Google DeepMind that could redefine how machines and people share workspaces.
The Partnership
Carolina Parada, Google DeepMind’s senior director of robotics, told the crowd the two companies will embed DeepMind’s foundation models inside the newest Atlas units.
> “We’re looking to integrate our cutting-edge AI foundation models with Boston Dynamics’ new Atlas robots, and we’ll aim to develop the world’s most advanced robot foundation model to fulfill the promise of true general-purpose human needs,”
Parada said on stage.
From Gymnastics to Co-Worker
Atlas has long wowed viewers with backflips and parkour, but athletic feats alone won’t cut it on a factory floor.
Alberto Rodriguez, director of Atlas behavior at Boston Dynamics, stressed that social skills are the missing piece.
> “Making Atlas into a product requires more than athletic performance for humanoids to really deliver on their promise. They have to be able to interact with people naturally.”
The companies say recent AI leaps now make that interaction goal achievable.
Real-World Footprint
Boston Dynamics is no stranger to commercial deployment:
- Spot quadruped operates in more than 40 countries
- Stretch warehouse bot has handled 20 million boxes since its 2023 debut
- Atlas is already in production and bound for a Hyundai facility
Google DeepMind’s recent Gemini Robotics models, revealed less than a year ago, give robots the ability to perceive, reason, and manipulate tools across varied hardware.
Key Takeaways
- Research starts now, using Atlas as the testbed
- Goal is a single foundation model that generalizes across humanoid tasks
- Hyundai’s manufacturing line will be the first proving ground
- Commercial history with Spot and Stretch gives the partners a scaling roadmap
If the collaboration hits its mark, factory workers could soon swap safety concerns about clunky robots for casual conversations with genuinely helpful humanoids.
