Fear of humanoid robots spurs human workers to strike at Hyundai auto factory

Ars Technica reports that thousands of unionized Hyundai workers in South Korea have begun striking over the automaker's plans to deploy humanoid robots—marking the auto industry's first major factory stoppage centered on humanoid automation. Negotiations between the union and Hyundai broke down after fifteen rounds of talks. Workers have already ended their shifts two hours early on July 13th through 15th, and are planning four-hour strikes starting July 20th. The robots at the center of this dispute are Boston Dynamics' latest Atlas humanoids—standing over six feet tall and capable of lifting more than one hundred pounds—which Hyundai will deploy as Boston Dynamics becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the South Korean automaker.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton