Robots enter the World Cup, shifting how large-scale events are run and experienced
Updated
April 8, 2026 10:35 AM
Hyundai Motor Company Dealership, Alabama, US. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, attention is beginning to shift beyond the matches themselves to how an event of this scale is organised and run. Managing teams, coordinating venues and handling large crowds requires a system that works with precision. This time, robotics is set to become part of that system.
Hyundai Motor Company, a long-time FIFA partner, is expanding its role for the 2026 tournament. Alongside its traditional responsibility of providing vehicles for teams, officials and media, the company will introduce robotics in collaboration with Boston Dynamics. Robots including Atlas and Spot are expected to be deployed at selected venues.
According to the announcement, these systems will be used to support tournament operations while contributing to safety and efficiency. They will also play a role in shaping how fans experience the event, indicating a broader use of technology within the tournament environment. While specific use cases have not been detailed, the inclusion of robotics reflects a growing effort to integrate advanced systems into large-scale public events.
The direction was introduced through the company’s global campaign, “Next Starts Now,” unveiled at the 2026 New York International Auto Show. The campaign is positioned around its wider focus on innovation across mobility and robotics, aligning with its long-standing partnership with FIFA, which now spans more than two decades. As part of the 2026 tournament, the company will also deploy its largest mobility fleet to date, working alongside these newer systems across venues.
Beyond operations, the initiative extends into community engagement. Youth football camps are set to take place across four host cities in the United States—Atlanta, Miami, New Jersey and Los Angeles—targeting children between the ages of six and twelve. A global drawing programme will also invite young fans to submit artwork supporting their national teams, with selected designs to be featured on official team buses during the tournament.
Taken together, the introduction of robotics alongside existing infrastructure points to a gradual shift in how major events are supported. Rather than operating only behind the scenes, technology is becoming more visible within the event itself. How these systems perform in a live, large-scale setting will become clearer once the tournament begins.
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The collaboration between Oversonic Robotics and STMicroelectronics highlights how robotics is beginning to fill gaps traditional automation cannot.
Updated
January 23, 2026 10:41 AM
3D render of humanoid robots working in a factory assembly line. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Oversonic Robotics, an Italian company known for building cognitive humanoid robots, has signed an agreement with STMicroelectronics, one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, to deploy humanoid robots inside semiconductor plants.
According to the companies, this is the first time cognitive humanoid robots will be used operationally inside semiconductor manufacturing facilities. And the first deployment has already taken place at ST’s advanced packaging and test plant in Malta.
At the center of the collaboration is RoBee, Oversonic’s humanoid robot. RoBee is designed to carry out support tasks within industrial environments, particularly where flexibility and interaction with human workers are required. In ST’s factories, the robots will assist with complex manufacturing and logistics flows linked to new semiconductor products. They are intended to work alongside existing automation systems, not replace them.
RoBee is notable for its ability to operate in environments shared with people. It is currently the only humanoid robot certified for use in both industrial and healthcare settings and is already in operation within several Italian companies. The robot is also being used in experimental hospital programs. That background helped position RoBee for deployment in tightly controlled manufacturing environments such as semiconductor plants.
Fabio Puglia, President of Oversonic Robotics, described the agreement as a milestone for deploying humanoid robots in complex industrial settings: “The partnership with STMicroelectronics is a great source of pride for us because it embodies the vision of cognitive robotics that Oversonic has brought to the industrial and healthcare markets. Being the first to introduce cognitive humanoid robots in a sophisticated production context such as semiconductors means measuring ourselves against the highest standards in terms of reliability, safety and operational continuity. This agreement represents a fundamental milestone for Oversonic and, more generally, for the industrial challenges these new machines are called to face in innovative and highly complex environments, alongside people and supporting their quality of work”.
From STMicroelectronics’ side, the use of humanoid robots is framed as part of a broader effort to manage growing manufacturing complexity. he company said RoBee will support complex tasks and help manage the intricate production flows required by newer semiconductor products. It is also expected to contribute to improved product quality and shorter manufacturing cycle times. The robots are designed to integrate with existing automation and software systems, helping improve safety and operational continuity.
In semiconductor manufacturing, precision and reliability leave little room for experimentation. Therefore, introducing humanoid robots into this environment signals a practical shift. It shows how robotics is starting to fill gaps that traditional automation has struggled to address.