SoftBank just sold its last slice of Boston Dynamics. Here's what that tells about where smart robotics money is going — TFN

Hyundai is acquiring SoftBank’s remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics, giving the automaker full ownership of one of the world’s best-known robotics companies.

The move is designed to accelerate Hyundai’s Physical AI strategy, combining Boston Dynamics’ robotics expertise with Hyundai’s manufacturing scale and AI capabilities.

Hyundai plans to deploy Atlas humanoid robots at its Georgia EV plant from 2028, with annual production capacity targeted at 30,000 robots.

Five years after selling control of Boston Dynamics, SoftBank is exiting entirely. Hyundai Motor Group has agreed to acquire SoftBank’s remaining 9.65% stake in the robotics company for an estimated $325 million, exercising a put option agreed when Hyundai first bought an 80% stake in 2021. The transaction gives Hyundai full ownership of the company behind Atlas, one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots, and Spot, its quadruped inspection robot.

The implied valuation exceeds $3 billion, nearly three times what Hyundai paid for Boston Dynamics in 2021. Yet the transaction is less about valuation than strategy.