NEWS | A humanoid robot just made history at the FIFA World Cup. During the 2026 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York/New Jersey Stadium, Hyundai's Atlas walked onto the field, delivered the official match ball to the referee, and even copied famous football celebrations.
Atlas was built by Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai. The appearance marked the first time a humanoid robot became part of a live FIFA World Cup match environment, turning one of the world's biggest sporting events into a global robotics showcase.
This wasn't just entertainment. It was a live demonstration that advanced robots can safely operate in crowded, unpredictable spaces beyond factories and research labs, putting robotics in front of billions of viewers.
The next race isn't just about building better robots. It's about making people comfortable seeing them in everyday life. If robots can earn trust on football's biggest stage, where will they show up next?
"The information is based on reports from multiple industry sources."
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