SoftBank to sell all of its Boston Dynamics shares; Hyundai Motor Group to acquire the remaining 9.65% to gain 100% ownership.
It has been reported that Hyundai Motor Group will acquire a 9.65% stake in the American robotics company Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group for $325 million (approximately 52.5 billion yen), and that the group will eventually own 100% of Boston Dynamics.
Hyundai takes full control of Boston Dynamics as SoftBank exits for $325 million - Startup Fortune
Hyundai to buy SoftBank's remaining stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 mln, newspaper says | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/hyundai-buy-softbanks-remaining-stake-boston-dynamics-325-mln-newspaper-says-2026-06-19/
Boston Dynamics is a company known for its demo videos of its quadruped robot 'Spot,' which walks like a dog, and its humanoid robot 'Atlas.' They develop robots that can overcome obstacles, get up after falling, and grasp objects, and in May 2026 they released a demo video showing a robot lifting and carrying a refrigerator with human-like movements.
A video has been released showing Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot 'Atlas' lifting and carrying a refrigerator; the ability to lift it using its entire body like a human is key to industrialization - GIGAZINE
Conventional industrial robots excel at repetitive tasks in fixed locations, but their implementation can be difficult in workplaces where the environment and conditions change slightly as people move around. Boston Dynamics' robots have attracted attention for their technology that allows them to move around in such places where people can enter but are difficult to mechanize.
Boston Dynamics was founded in 1992, acquired by Google in 2013, and then sold by Google's parent company, Alphabet, to SoftBank in 2017.
SoftBank acquires Boston Dynamics and Schaft, companies known for their robot development - GIGAZINE
In December 2020, an agreement was reached for Hyundai Motor Group to acquire management control from SoftBank. The transaction was completed in June 2021, with Hyundai Motor Group holding approximately 80% of the shares and SoftBank holding approximately 20%.
Hyundai to acquire SoftBank-owned robotics company Boston Dynamics for 96 billion yen - GIGAZINE
Boston Dynamics has reportedly undergone multiple capital increases due to accumulating losses, resulting in changes in ownership percentages. As of the time of reporting, the shareholder structure was Hyundai Motor 28%, Kia 17.2%, Hyundai Mobis 11.3%, Hyundai Globis 11.25%, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman and CEO Chung Eui-sung 22.6%, and SoftBank 9.65%. Excluding SoftBank's 9.65%, the remaining shares are held by affiliates and the chairman of the Hyundai Motor Group.
According to reports, the agreement in June 2021 stipulated that if Boston Dynamics' listing process did not proceed within four years of the transaction completion date, SoftBank would be able to sell its remaining shares to the Hyundai Motor Group. Now, with the deadline for exercising this right approaching, SoftBank has exercised its right and made a request to sell its shares.
According to reports, a payment of $325 million (approximately 52.5 billion yen) is expected for a 9.65% stake, resulting in a simple calculation of the company's value at approximately $3.37 billion (approximately 544 billion yen). However, with the growing attention on physical AI, some estimate Boston Dynamics' value to be over $20 billion (3.23 trillion yen), and this price is reported to be a bargain based on a 2021 contract.
SoftBank has been heavily investing in artificial intelligence and infrastructure-related fields, and the sale of its Boston Dynamics stake is seen as part of this capital allocation strategy.
Hyundai Motor Group is expected to hold a board meeting on June 22, 2026, to approve the acquisition of the remaining shares.
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