Hyundai Motor Company has clinched the prestigious Best of Innovation Award in Robotics at CES 2026 for its MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid) platform, marking the automaker’s first time receiving the category’s top honor. The versatile robot, set for mass production in early 2026, is designed for logistics, delivery, and autonomous navigation across challenging terrains.
In a major win at the world’s biggest tech showcase, an automaker has driven away with top robotics honors. Hyundai Motor Company has been awarded the Best of Innovation Award in the Robotics category at CES 2026 for its innovative MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), developed by the Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB. This isn’t just another trophy; it’s the first time the automotive giant has received this specific, top-tier accolade at CES, signaling a powerful entry into the next generation of mobility.
So, what is MobED, and why did it impress the judges? Unveiled just a month prior at the International Robot Exhibition 2025 (iREX 2025) in Tokyo, MobED is a compact, adaptable mobility platform built to handle real-world chaos. Its secret weapon is a proprietary system called Drive and Lift (DnL) technology. This engineering marvel allows the droid to maintain stability and navigate over uneven surfaces, inclines, and curbs—obstacles that would stop many robots in their tracks. According to the company’s announcement, this core functionality makes it reliable “even in challenging environments.”
The platform will launch in two distinct models to cater to different needs. The MobED Basic is a controller-operated unit designed for flexibility in research and development settings. The award-winning star, however, is the MobED Pro. This model is equipped with an AI-based algorithm and full autonomous navigation, powered by integrated LiDAR-camera fusion sensors that enable precise, seamless movement without human guidance.
The judges at the CES Innovation Awards program, which celebrates outstanding design and engineering, were clearly convinced by its practical vision. MobED isn’t built for show; it’s built for work. Its modular design means the base platform can be fitted with various top-mounted modules, transforming it for applications ranging from warehouse logistics and last-mile delivery to broadcasting, guidance services, and even digital signage. This versatility is key to Hyundai’s broader strategy of evolving from a traditional carmaker into “a comprehensive provider of smart mobility solutions.”
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The commercial rollout is imminent. Hyundai Motor Group confirmed that mass production for both MobED models will commence in the first quarter of 2026, with purchasing details to follow on the Robotics LAB website. Attendees at CES 2026 in Las Vegas can see the award-winner in action at the Hyundai exhibit, demonstrating its capabilities live.
This award is a significant milestone. It validates Hyundai’s serious investment in robotics—bolstered by its ownership of Boston Dynamics—and positions the MobED as one of the automotive industry’s first mass-producible mobile robot solutions ready for market. By earning this honor, Hyundai isn’t just winning a prize; it’s steering the conversation about the future of autonomous mobility, one versatile, terrain-conquering droid at a time.
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