The plan was shared at CES Foundry 2026
Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab has achieved a pivotal breakthrough in physical AI technology, sharing the accomplishment at the inaugural CES Foundry 2026 and showcasing the outcomes of its three-year partnership with DeepX, an AI semiconductor specialist
The announcement marks the start of mass production for an ‘edge-brain’ on-device AI chip, co-developed by the Robotics Lab and DeepX, with DeepX producing the chip that integrates the Robotics Lab's proprietary software. This collaboration is significant in enabling robots to act autonomously without external connectivity.
As part of the CES Foundry, a newly established, dedicated exhibition at CES 2026 highlighting innovations in AI, blockchain, and quantum technologies, the Group’s milestone contribution reflects how these advancements intersect with real-world applications.
Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab, said, "Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab is not just focused on building robots but on creating a sustainable robotics ecosystem. Our aim is to deliver real value at the final touchpoint of the Physical AI pipeline, where users directly interact with the technology, and to make efficient, smart, and low-power robots accessible to a wider audience."
DeepX and Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics Lab have collaborated since 2023, initiated by a 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU). The two have co-developed the AI chip, with the Robotics Lab developing the control software applied to the chip and DeepX leading its production.
The ultra-low-power chip consumes less than 5 watts of power when operating and serves as an ‘edge AI brain’, allowing robots to recognise their surroundings in real time and make autonomous decisions and controls without cloud or network connectivity. The core technology for physical AI implementation provides the foundation for robots to operate reliably in industrial settings and everyday life.
This technology has already been integrated into the Robotics Lab’s technologies, including Facey, a facial recognition technology currently under development, and DAL-e Delivery, an advanced delivery robot in the demonstration and validation phase. It will be applied sequentially to the Robotics Lab’s AI security solutions and next-generation mobile robots.
The Group’s Robotics Lab's future roadmap is focused on moving beyond individual robot products to provide a “Robotics Total Solution (RTS)” that integrates hardware and software. The development of the on-device AI chip exemplifies this approach, as it combines the Robotics Lab’s control software expertise with DeepX’s AI semiconductor capabilities.
This collaboration has also allowed the Group to secure optimised solutions in advance for future mass-produced robots, while improving flexibility and stability within its supply chain. Ensuring these robots can effectively operate in real-world environments is vital to addressing societal challenges such as aging populations, labour shortages, and industrial safety concerns. With this in mind, the Group expects that the on-device AI chip developed through this initiative will allow the establishment of a stable physical AI infrastructure to help combat these issues.
