Hyundai Unveils Soccer Robot at FIFA World Cup 2026 Event

WHO:

Yahoo Finance - Hyundai Motor Company, Boston Dynamics, Sungwon Jee (Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor Company), Alberto Rodriguez (Director of Robotics Behavior, Boston Dynamics).

Fortune - Hyundai Motor Company, Boston Dynamics, Sungwon Jee, Alberto Rodriguez.

WHAT:

Yahoo Finance - Hyundai integrated Atlas, an advanced humanoid robot, into FIFA World Cup 2026 during the Round of 16 match.

Yahoo Finance - Atlas performed goal celebrations inspired by footballers Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Matheus Cunha, and Son Heung-min.

Yahoo Finance - Atlas delivered the ceremonial match ball to the referee at halftime.

Fortune - Atlas is a five-foot humanoid robot with 56 degrees of freedom, a 2.3-meter reach, and the ability to lift up to 110 pounds.

Fortune - Atlas's performance was the first-ever robotics-powered halftime activation in FIFA World Cup history.

WHERE:

Yahoo Finance - New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Fortune - New York/New Jersey Stadium.

WHEN:

Yahoo Finance - The activation occurred during the Round of 16 match of FIFA World Cup 2026.

Fortune - The match took place on a Saturday.

WHY:

Yahoo Finance - Hyundai aims to demonstrate human-centered innovation and the integration of robotics into everyday life.

Fortune - Hyundai has sponsored FIFA for 27 years and seeks to make a statement about robotics' role in supporting people.

HOW:

Yahoo Finance - Atlas's performance was powered by retargeting technology, reinforcement learning, and whole-body control.

Fortune - Atlas was trained using motion-capture data and simulations to learn football movements, adapting to various conditions.

Fortune - Atlas's training involved solving challenges related to different surfaces, such as grass, to ensure reliable performance.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Hyundai Motor Company made history by integrating Atlas, an advanced humanoid robot, into the FIFA World Cup 2026 during a Round of 16 match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, marking the first-ever robotics-powered halftime activation in the tournament's history. Standing five feet tall with impressive capabilities, Atlas not only performed goal celebrations inspired by football stars but also delivered the ceremonial match ball to the referee at halftime. This innovative showcase highlights Hyundai's commitment to human-centered innovation and the role of robotics in everyday life, as the company has been a FIFA sponsor for 27 years.