Remember Spot? The amazing robotic dog that Ford, Merck and other companies deployed to handle an array of interesting tasks?
The intriguing technology also apparently caught the eye of Hyundai Motors, who reportedly purchased Spot’s creator Boston Dynamics from SoftBank for just under $1 billion ($921 million).
According to The Korea Economic Daily, “The acquisition will become the first buyout deal for Chung Euisun as Hyundai Motor Group’s chairman since he assumed the chairmanship last October, accelerating the group’s push into the future mobility market. Hyundai has chosen robotics as one of its new growth engines, alongside electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell cars.” Hyundai Motor will finance about half of the acquisition price, with its affiliates including auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. paying for the remainder.
The investment, which has been rumored for a few months, clearly demonstrates the automaker’s commitment in advanced technologies including robotics, autonomous capabilities as well as forward looking electric vehicle technologies.
