CEO of Boston Dynamics to step down, as Hyundai's robot strategy in focus

2026년 2월 11일 · Unknown · financial · 출처 Yahoo Finance

By Heejin Kim and Jihoon Lee

SEOUL, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Robert Playter, chief executive ‌of Hyundai Motor Group's (005380.KS) robot affiliate ‌Boston Dynamics is stepping down, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based company said ​on its X account.

Shares of Hyundai Motor rallied 5.9% in Seoul trading on Wednesday as the leadership change spurred market expectation that ‌the automaker intends ⁠to accelerate commercialisation of its robot business.

"The stock appeared to have ⁠risen because of the news about the resignation of the CEO," said James Hong, Seoul-based ​analyst at ​Macquarie, adding that ​Playter's team had ‌been "R&D-oriented" for robot development.

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A media report that Boston Dynamics' robot dogs have been deployed to work at a nuclear power plant in Britain also contributed to the stock's gains, ‌a note from Seoul-based ​Daishin Securities said.

Hyundai Motor Group, ​which controls ​Hyundai and Kia, acquired Boston Dynamics ‌in 2021 with a ​majority stake.

In ​January, Hyundai said it plans to deploy humanoid robots made by Boston Dynamics ​at its ‌U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgia. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy

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Kia's (000270.KS) shares gained ​4.6%.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Jihoon ​LeeEditing by Ed Davies)

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