Following Hyundai Motor Group’s unveiling of Atlas at CES 2026, the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition, international media outlets have been heaping praise on the humanoid robot.
With robots emerging as the main sector of Physical AI, a key topic at this year’s CES, media outlets showed particular interest in Atlas among the various robots presented. They offered positive assessments of Hyundai’s vision for Physical AI and Boston Dynamics’ robotic technology prowess.
In particular, foreign media detailed Atlas’s key features and potential applications, emphasizing that Hyunda is establishing itself not merely as a mobility company, but as a robotics powerhouse based on Physical AI.
Major international media laud Atlas
According to industry sources on January 18, Associated Press, one of the world’s largest news agencies, reported on January 6 that Hyundai Motor Group has ramped up its efforts to create human-like robots capable of performing tasks in place of people. The report vividly captured Atlas’s movements, unveiled the previous day.
AP noted that leading robotics manufacturers rarely demonstrate humanoid robots publicly due to the risk of malfunctions, praising Atlas’s performance as flawless and exceptional.
The Guardian, a prominent British daily newspaper, devoted significant coverage to Atlas in an article showcasing key robots revealed at CES 2026 on January 9.
The publication highlighted Atlas’s water resistance features and automatic battery replacement capabilities, predicting that this year would see Boston Dynamics’ long-tested Atlas emerge as a refined product.
French news channel Euronews also reported on January 6 that Boston Dynamics proved Atlas is no longer a prototype through its first public demonstration. The outlet added that Hyundai Motor Group aims to reduce physical labor for humans and lay the groundwork for human-robot collaboration through Atlas.
International trade publications spotlight Atlas
Automotive and tech publications worldwide have also published articles addressing the anticipation for Hyundai’s Atlas.
AutoWeek, a leading American automotive publication, featured an article titled “Hyundai Thinks The Next Mobility Revolution Isn’t A Car,” delving into Hyundai’s long-term strategic vision.
The publication outlined Hyundai’s robot implementation strategies, including promoting human-robot collaboration, integrating Boston Dynamics into Hyundai’s global manufacturing ecosystem, and forging partnerships with AI industry leaders. AutoWeek reported that Hyundai sees robotics, not electric vehicles or autonomous driving, as the cornerstone of next-generation technology.
TechRadar, a British tech media outlet, hailed Atlas as one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots, predicting its role as a valuable colleague once deployed in manufacturing settings.
The Verge, a prominent American tech publication, noted Atlas’s position as a competitor to Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot. Meanwhile, digital media outlet Mashable highlighted Hyundai’s strategic shift in showcasing robots instead of cars at CES.
Tech publications from Turkey, such as Interesting Engineering, and Japan’s Robot Start continued their coverage of Atlas, cementing Hyundai Motor Group’s position at the forefront of robotics discussions following the unveiling.
Meanwhile, Atlas won the Best Robot award at CNET‘s Best of CES 2026 on January 8. CNET praised Atlas’s natural, human-like gait and sleek design, emphasizing that this next-generation collaborative robot exemplifies Hyundai’s vision for human-centered AI robotics.
