Boston Dynamics, which made a name for itself with its robots, is now owned by South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai. Hyundai announced on Monday that it wanted to build a "robotics value chain" ranging from the production of robotic parts to intelligent logistics solutions.

The transaction values Boston Dynamics at 1.1 billion dollars (approx. 925 million euros), it said. Hyundai took over 80% of the shares and the previous owner, the Japanese technology group SoftBank, retained the remaining 20% via a subsidiary.

Demo videos with robots from Boston Dynamics have been causing a stir for years - partly because they show the progress of the technology. Initially, the robots, whose movements are modeled on humans, often found it difficult to keep their balance. Now they master complex movements and can run, jump, use stairs, carry boxes and stand up on their own if they are knocked over. The robot 'Spot', which moves like a dog, is now being sold by Boston Dynamics as the first commercial product for security services, for example. The New York Police Department also acquired one of the 'Spot' robots for its operations - but quickly decommissioned it following criticism.

Boston Dynamics has undergone several changes of ownership in recent years. The company was initially taken over by Google. However, the internet company, which came under increasing scrutiny from competition authorities and critics in the technology sector, scaled back its robotics plans. Softbank bought Boston Dynamics from Google in 2017 - and also had plans at the time to focus more on robots. In the meantime, however, the Japanese group is streamlining its portfolio following the billion-euro bad investment in office space provider WeWork, among other things.

Hyundai, together with its sister brand Kia, wants to transform itself into a provider of "smart mobility solutions". This includes investments in future technologies, including self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, aircraft for urban mobility and robots.