Rise of Robots Pits Hyundai’s Atlas Against Musk’s Optimus (1)

As Hyundai Motor Co. Executive Chair Euisun Chung took the stage at CES 2022 accompanied by “Spot” — a robot dog — a voice from the audience asked how long it would be before the company dropped “Motor” from its name.

That time could be now.

Hyundai stole the show with its Atlas humanoid robot at last month’s CES in Las Vegas. In a display of fluid, person-like agility, the machine picked itself up, navigated the stage with ease, and swiveled its torso and head with a precision that looked remarkably natural. Such was the excitement, Hyundai Motor’s shares surged ...