Boston Dynamics’s next-gen humanoid robot will have Google DeepMind DNA

Boston Dynamics, the renowned robotics company, revealed a significant collaboration with Google DeepMind during the Hyundai press conference at CES 2026. This strategic partnership aims to expedite the creation of the next-generation humanoid robot, Atlas, enhancing its ability to interact in a human-like manner. Carolina Parada, a senior director at Google DeepMind, emphasized that the integration of their advanced AI foundation models with the Atlas robots will set the stage for developing an unprecedented robot capable of meeting diverse human needs. "Our goal is to create the most sophisticated robot foundation model that bridges the gap between technology and human interaction," she stated during the event. This announcement follows Google DeepMind's introduction of Gemini Robotics, a groundbreaking set of AI models designed to improve how robots perceive, reason, and engage with humans. This innovative framework is built upon a large-scale multimodal generative AI model known as Gemini, allowing for generalizable behavior across various robotic platforms. Boston Dynamics, with Hyundai Motor Group as its majority owner, is focusing on real-world applications for this partnership. The company has a proven track record, with existing products like the quadruped robot Spot operating in over 40 countries and the warehouse robot Stretch boasting over 20 million boxes unloaded globally since its 2023 launch. As the production of Atlas begins, a prototype made an appearance at the conference, showcasing its mobility. However, Alberto Rodriguez, who leads Atlas's behavior team at Boston Dynamics, stressed that transforming Atlas into a viable product requires more than just physical prowess. He noted that successful humanoid robots must naturally interact with people, a capability that recent AI advancements are paving the way to achieve.