Toyota and Hyundai deepen partnership on hydrogen cars and robotics

Toyota and Hyundai are taking their partnership beyond the racetrack, diving into hydrogen fuel-cell technology and robotics to shape the future of mobility.

Driving the news: At a recent meeting in South Korea, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda and Hyundai Executive Chair Chung Euisun laid out plans for how the two automakers will tackle these ambitious, high-cost ventures together.

• Toyota and Hyundai — already major players in hydrogen — are now doubling down on the technology.

• Toyota led the way in 2014 with the launch of the Mirai, the first commercial hydrogen-powered car. Hyundai followed in 2018 with the NEXO, carving out a niche in the space. Now, the automakers are on the cusp of unveiling brand-new hydrogen prototypes.

But is hydrogen really viable? The technology needs a vast and expensive infrastructure to support it, and even with Toyota and Hyundai’s leadership in the Hydrogen Council, scaling hydrogen for passenger vehicles has proven difficult. Heavy transport and industrial applications are potential niches, but in the consumer space, BEVs remain the frontrunners.

Zooming in: Hydrogen may not become the go-to solution for personal vehicles anytime soon. But Hyundai and Toyota believe staying invested in multiple technologies offers a strategic edge, especially if hydrogen finds stronger footholds in specialized markets.

• While hydrogen remains a long game, robotics could deliver more immediate results. 

• Both companies are working to integrate AI-powered humanoid robots into their manufacturing processes, with Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute collaborating to speed up development.

• Tesla and BMW are already deploying robots in their factories, and labor markets are tightening.

What it means: Toyota and Hyundai know hydrogen won’t win the race overnight — but by staying in the game, they’re preparing for a future where it might have its moment. At the same time, their focus on robotics gives them a practical, near-term advantage, helping them control costs and traverse labor market challenges.

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