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Robot Delivers World Cup Ball: A New Era Dawns
6 Jul
Summary
- An advanced humanoid robot, Atlas, delivered the World Cup match ball.
- Atlas imitated goal celebrations, including Erling Haaland's pose.
- Hyundai plans to deploy robots in U.S. manufacturing by 2028.

The World Cup welcomed a new player to the field: Atlas, an advanced humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics. Atlas made its debut by delivering the match ball to the referee at halftime during a round of 16 match. The robot showcased its sophisticated programming by imitating various goal celebrations, including a notable pose by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Developing Atlas for this unique role involved overcoming significant challenges. Standard Wi-Fi was insufficient due to the dense crowd, necessitating a custom radio communication channel. The robot's walking and jumping algorithms were also recalibrated to adapt to the unpredictable nature of grass, ensuring robustness.
This demonstration aligns with Hyundai's broader ambitions. The company plans to integrate robots like Atlas into its U.S. manufacturing facilities in Georgia, beginning in 2028. The initiative aims to automate hazardous and repetitive tasks, signaling a significant step towards increased automation in industrial settings.