Hyundai Motor Group is pushing a plan to acquire SoftBank's 9.65 percent stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 million, or about 500.1 billion won, to secure full ownership.

On June 22, major foreign media reported the group is expected to hold a board meeting that day and approve the agenda item to acquire the remaining stake.

Once the transaction is completed, SoftBank will exit Boston Dynamics entirely. The current ownership structure is Hyundai Motor 28 percent, Kia 17.2 percent, Hyundai Mobis 11.3 percent, Hyundai Glovis 11.25 percent, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman and CEO Chung Euisun (정의선) 22.6 percent, and SoftBank 9.65 percent. Excluding SoftBank's stake, the rest is already held by group affiliates and Chairman Chung.

The transaction price was set at $325 million based on the 9.65 percent stake. A simple conversion puts Boston Dynamics' corporate valuation at about $3.37 billion, or about 5.2 trillion won. Some in the market estimate its value at $20 billion or more, or about 30.8 trillion won, as interest in physical artificial intelligence grows. This price is seen as reflecting the contract terms set in 2021.

The sale is tied to the contract signed in 2021 when Hyundai Motor Group took over management control. Under that agreement, if an IPO process did not proceed within 4 years of the closing date, SoftBank had the right to sell its remaining stake to Hyundai Motor Group. This time, SoftBank requested the sale as the deadline to exercise that right approached.

Boston Dynamics is known for its four-legged robot Spot and humanoid robot Atlas. Its robot technology has drawn attention for climbing stairs and obstacles, standing back up after falling, and picking up objects. In May 2026, a demonstration video was released showing Atlas using its whole body like a person to lift and move a refrigerator. While existing industrial robots were strong at repetitive tasks in fixed locations, Boston Dynamics has emphasized movement technology for worksites where people come and go and automation is difficult.

The ownership structure has changed several times. Founded in 1992, Boston Dynamics was acquired by Google in 2013 and moved to SoftBank in 2017 after leaving Alphabet. Hyundai Motor Group later agreed in December 2020 to acquire management control from SoftBank and completed the deal in June 2021. Immediately after the closing, Hyundai Motor Group held about 80 percent and SoftBank about 20 percent, but the stakes were later adjusted through multiple capital increases following accumulated losses.

SoftBank's exit is also tied to capital redeployment. SoftBank has been allocating significant funds to artificial intelligence and infrastructure-related investments, and the sale of its Boston Dynamics stake is an extension of that. Hyundai Motor Group, in contrast, will secure full control of its robotics business.

Amid this trend, the transaction is seen as a step for Hyundai Motor Group to fully incorporate Boston Dynamics into the group. The remaining variables are whether the June 22 board approves it and the actual closing procedures. If the deal proceeds as planned, Boston Dynamics will be restructured so that Hyundai Motor Group affiliates and Chairman Chung hold all shares.