Speaking at CES, Hyundai’s vice chair, Jaehoon Chang, acknowledged concerns that that human workers could lose their jobs to robots. But he said people will still be needed train the robots, among other roles, the news agency Reuters reported.
Monday’s announcement came after Hyundai said in 2025 that in would invest more than $20bn (£15.5bn) in the US, supporting President Donald Trump’s plans to boost manufacturing in the country.
The firm said it would expand car production in the US and invest in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
Elon Musk’s electric carmaker Tesla has also invested heavily in its humanoid robot, Optimus.
Hyundai’s battery plant in Georgia, which it operates in partnership with electronics giant LG, is one of its key facilities in the US.
In September 2025, US immigration officers raided the plant and arrested hundreds of workers, including at least 300 South Korean citizens.
The workers had their legs shackled in scenes that sparked outrage in South Korea.
President Lee Jae Myung and Hyundai’s chief executive José Muñoz warned that the raid could deter foreign investment in the US.
Later that month, Washington and Seoul reached an agreement to release the detained workers.
Trump said he opposed the raid and that the US had an “understanding” with the world on the need to bring in experts to set up specialised facilities and train local workers.
Muñoz said in November that the White House had phoned him personally to apologise for the raid.