# Boston Dynamics opens metaplant application center to train Atlas robots

Digest AI · Robotics & Physical AI · published 2026-09-21T12:59:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/boston-dynamics-opens-metaplant-application-center-to-train-atlas-robo

## Summary

Boston Dynamics announced the opening of its Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia. Chief product and technology officer Zack Jackowski said the permanent facility will serve as a "Robot Behavior Factory," collecting high‑quality data from real automotive parts, fixtures and workcells to train Atlas humanoid robots for production use.

At RMAC the company is teaching Atlas tasks that require dexterous, bimanual manipulation, such as extracting components from packaging, handling fragile surfaces, and placing parts into dense cubbies for assembly lines. Training draws on teleoperation, reinforcement‑learning simulations and Universal Manipulation Interface (UMI) devices. Boston Dynamics plans to expand the center tenfold next year, move toward component assembly by 2030, and continue scaling data collection through 2027. Hyundai intends to deploy 25,000 Atlas units across its global plants over the coming years, while a Hyundai‑built U.S. factory aims to produce up to 30,000 robots annually by 2028.

Jackowski noted that early trials proved design assumptions for Atlas were largely correct and that insights from the center will inform fixture and packaging design to better suit humanoids. Boston Dynamics also said SoftBank’s acquisition of Hyundai’s Robotics and AI Institute will not affect Atlas development. The company is hiring additional staff and is in talks with customers of its Spot and Stretch robots for broader industrial applications.

## Key points

- Boston Dynamics opened the Robotics Metaplant Application Center at Hyundai’s Savannah plant to train Atlas on automotive tasks.
- Hyundai plans to deploy 25,000 Atlas units across its global plants over the next few years.
- The center will expand tenfold next year and aims to support component assembly by 2030.

## Why it matters

Scaling Atlas training in a real auto plant accelerates humanoid robot deployment in manufacturing, signaling a shift toward large‑scale physical AI and potentially reshaping supply‑chain automation.

## Sources

1. [Boston Dynamics opens Metaplant Application Center to train Atlas humanoid robots](https://therobotreport.com/boston-dynamics-opens-metaplant-application-center-train-atlas-humanoid-robots) (The Robot Report, 2026-09-21)

Part of the developing story: [Corporate Giants Accelerate Autonomous Robotics Expansion](https://digestai.news/thread/softbank-agrees-to-acquire-hyundai-s-robotics-and-ai-institute) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Boston Dynamics opens metaplant application center to train Atlas robots", 21 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/boston-dynamics-opens-metaplant-application-center-to-train-atlas-robo

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