KATHMANDU: Hyundai Motor is taking a different approach from Tesla as both companies prepare for a future shaped by robots and autonomous vehicles, writes WSJ.
While Tesla is moving more aggressively towards self-driving cars and humanoid robots, Hyundai plans to continue expanding its conventional vehicle lineup. The company plans to launch more than 100 new or updated models globally by 2030.
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz is also positioning the company as a technology-focused automaker. The company sees robotics and autonomous driving as important parts of its future.
Hyundai is preparing to start producing robotaxis for Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving company. It is also developing its own autonomous driving technology through Motional.
The company plans to produce up to 30,000 Boston Dynamics robots annually by 2028, including the Atlas humanoid robot. Hyundai is developing what it describes as the world’s first large-scale commercial robotics manufacturing facility.
“We are becoming a technology company,” Munoz said.
According to WSJ, Tesla, meanwhile, is putting greater focus on a future where cars are driven by computers. Its Cybercab robotaxi does not have a steering wheel, while the company is also developing its Optimus humanoid robot.
Tesla has also reduced its focus on some traditional vehicles to make room for robot production. However, its next-generation Roadster has faced repeated delays, while the timeline for large-scale Cybercab production remains unclear.
Hyundai is taking a more gradual approach. It plans to use profits from its existing vehicle business to invest in robotics and future technologies.
“The strategy is simple to say and hard to do: maximize the profit of the car business today through product efficiency and localization, then fund the future,” Munoz said.
Hyundai also benefits from its wider business group, which includes steel, logistics, finance and Boston Dynamics.
