Can Boston Dynamics have stocks?

Boston Dynamics doesn't have its own publicly traded stock. It's a private company owned by Hyundai (80%) and Softbank (20%), so you can't invest directly in its stock. However, you can buy shares of its majority owner, Hyundai. The South Korean automaker trades under the stock ticker HYMTF.

What is the stock symbol for Boston Dynamics?

Boston Dynamics doesn't have its own stock symbol because it's not a publicly traded company. However, its majority owner, Hyundai, is publicly traded. Its stock symbol is HYMTF.

Is Boston Dynamics going to IPO?

Boston Dynamics didn't have plans to complete an IPO as of mid-2026. However, it was reportedly open to an IPO.

Does Hyundai own 80% of Boston Dynamics?

Hyundai purchased an 80% interest in Boston Dynamics in 2021, with Softbank retaining the remaining 20% stake in the robotics company at the time. However, according to an early 2026 article by The Korea Herald, subsequent capital raises have increased its ownership to about 90.6%, with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun holding a 22.6% interest, while Hyundai affiliates own 68%.

Is Boston Dynamics struggling?

Boston Dynamics doesn't appear to be struggling. In early 2026, the company unveiled its new Atlas robot, which it started manufacturing immediately for Hyundai and Google DeepMind. It plans to ship these robots to additional customers starting in early 2027. Hyundai is investing $26 billion in the U.S. through 2028, including the construction of a state-of-the-art robotics facility with an annual capacity of 30,000 units, positioning it to remain a global robotics leader.

Can You Invest in Boston Dynamics Stock in 2026? Details & Alternatives

Can You Invest in Boston Dynamics Stock Pre-IPO? Here’s What You Need to Know

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated May 13, 2026 at 3:42 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Boston Dynamics, owned by Hyundai, hasn't completed an IPO as of mid-2026.
Hyundai may need to IPO Boston Dynamics or gain full control by June 2026 due to a put option held by Softbank.
Invest in robotics via Hyundai, a rival robotics stock, or ETFs covering the sector while awaiting the Boston Dynamics IPO.

Boston Dynamics is a global leader in the development of highly mobile robots. It has developed three dynamically stable, legged robots (Spot, Stretch, and Atlas) that can perform a variety of tasks. It has deployed thousands of its robots in commercial and academic settings, giving it more real-world experience than any other robot developer.

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A gathering of robots in business suits. — Image source: Getty Images.

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The company is still in the early stages of developing deployable robots that can help companies automate more tasks. It has tremendous growth potential as robots become more mainstream. It believes that robots could be in homes in the next 10 to 20 years.

Boston Dynamics' growth potential has many people wondering whether they can invest in its stock before it completes an initial public offering (IPO). This guide will show you how to invest in Boston Dynamics and other robotics stocks.

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Is Boston Dynamics publicly traded?

Boston Dynamics wasn't a publicly traded company in mid-2026. It was a private company, majority-owned by Hyundai (OTC:HYMTF). The South Korean automaker acquired an 80% controlling interest in Boston Dynamics from Softbank (SFTBF -13.34%) in 2021. The deal valued the robotics company at $1.1 billion. Softbank retained the remaining 20% interest in Boston Dynamics.

When will Boston Dynamics IPO?

Boston Dynamics didn't have an IPO on the calendar in mid-2026. Hyundai initially committed to taking it public within four years of closing the acquisition. Failing to do so gave Softbank a put option to sell its stake, which expires in June 2026. That looming expiration could drive Hyundai to complete an IPO for the robotics company or acquire full control.

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IPO

IPO (Initial Public Offering) is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public, making it a publicly traded entity.

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Is Boston Dynamics profitable?

As a private company, Boston Dynamics doesn't publicly report its profitability. However, its publicly traded majority owner, Hyundai, does report its profitability (although it doesn't break out the robotics company's results).

In 2026, the South Korean automaker was solidly profitable. While the company reported a 31% decline in its first-quarter profits due to the war in the Middle East, it still generated about $1.7 billion of operating profit. However, it makes most of its money from selling cars and providing financing.

Boston Dynamics is likely a minor contributor to Hyundai's revenue and a drag on its profitability, due to the heavy investments it's making in its growth. However, it will likely be a bigger contributor in the future. Boston Dynamics recently launched its new Atlas model, and Hyundai is building a state-of-the-art robotics facility in the U.S. with a capacity of 30,000 units. These catalysts position the robotics company to grow more rapidly in the future.

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Alternatives to Boston Dynamics

Here are some robotics stock alternatives to Boston Dynamics to consider while you wait for its future IPO:

Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG +1.71%) pioneered robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery. The medical technology company develops and manufactures the da Vinci surgical system. It received approval in 2025 for AI and advanced imaging for its robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform (Ion) and for cardiac procedures on its da Vinci 5 advanced robotic surgical system.

Tesla

Tesla (TSLA -1.21%) is a leader in robotics. It deploys robots in its factories, integrates automation in its electric vehicles (including launching its Cybercab robotaxi services, and developed a humanoid robot (Optimus). Tesla believes Optimus will eventually become its most important product.

Teradyne

Teradyne (TER -11.84%) develops industrial equipment that automates tasks, primarily for the semiconductor sector. It owns two robotics companies, Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots, that develop devices like robotic arms for manufacturing and self-driving bots for warehouses.

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How to buy stocks similar to Boston Dynamics

Although Boston Dynamics isn't a publicly traded company, you can still invest in the robotics developer through Hyundai. In addition, you can consider investing in one of its publicly traded competitors while you watch for its IPO. This step-by-step guide will show you how to add Hyundai to your portfolio (or one of Boston Dynamics' competitors in the robotics industry):

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

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ETFs with exposure to Boston Dynamics

Many people would prefer to invest passively rather than actively manage a portfolio of stocks. Anyone can be a passive investor with exchange-traded funds (ETFs). They enable you to gain passive exposure to a company, theme, or the broader market.

Although Boston Dynamics is a private company (not held by ETFs), its parent, Hyundai, is publicly traded. Several ETFs own shares of Hyundai, including:

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY -5.17%): The fund provides exposure to large and mid-sized companies headquartered in Korea. It held shares in 81 companies in mid-2026, including Hyundai (the fourth-largest holding at 2.5% of the fund's assets). The ETF provided broad exposure to Korean companies for an ETF expense ratio of 0.59%.

An alternative is to invest in an ETF focused on the robotics sector. Notable robotics ETFs include:

Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ -1.25%): The ETF focuses on companies that stand to benefit from the growing adoption and utilization of robotics and AI. It held 62 stocks in mid-2026, including Intuitive Surgical (its fifth-largest holding at 6.1% of its net assets). The fund had an expense ratio of 0.68%.
ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO -1.87%): The fund focuses on robotics, automation, and AI. It had 77 holdings in mid-2026, including Teradyne (its eighth-largest holding at 1.8% of its net assets). The ETF had a rather high expense ratio of 0.95%.

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The bottom line

Boston Dynamics is an innovative robotics company. It has developed several robots that can help companies automate more tasks. While it's still very early in its development, many investors eagerly await its IPO.

However, they might have to be patient because Hyundai holds a majority stake in the company, which is helping drive its smart mobility solutions strategy. As a result, investors might have to invest in either the automotive company or a competing robotics company, since Boston Dynamics might not go public anytime soon.

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Investing in Boston Dynamics FAQ

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About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst specializing in the energy, industrials, and real estate sectors since 2012. He also covers dividend-paying stocks, pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

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@MatthewDiLallo

Matt DiLallo has positions in Intuitive Surgical and Tesla and has the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intuitive Surgical and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends C3.ai and Teradyne and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Can You Invest in Boston Dynamics Stock Pre-IPO? Here’s What You Need to Know

Key Points

Is Boston Dynamics publicly traded?

When will Boston Dynamics IPO?

IPO

Is Boston Dynamics profitable?