In a groundbreaking partnership, Hyundai Motor and Waymo are joining forces to revolutionize the autonomous vehicle industry. The South Korean automaker will supply its cutting-edge Ioniq 5 electric vehicles to Waymo’s robotaxi fleet, which will be equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous technology, known as the Waymo Driver. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in the development of self-driving technology, with the potential to transform the transportation landscape.
The partnership will see a substantial volume of Ioniq 5 EVs integrated with Waymo’s autonomous technology over multiple years, supporting the growth of Waymo’s robotaxi business. The vehicles will be produced at Hyundai’s state-of-the-art Metaplant America facility in Georgia and will undergo specific modifications to accommodate Waymo’s self-driving systems.
Initial on-road testing of the Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5s is expected to commence by late 2025, with the vehicles set to become available to Waymo One robotaxi riders in the years to come. This partnership not only strengthens the relationship between Hyundai and Waymo but also paves the way for potential future collaborations.
José Muñoz, Hyundai’s chief operating officer and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that the company is committed to allocating a substantial number of vehicles to the Waymo One fleet as it continues to expand. This marks the first stage of a partnership that could lead to further opportunities for collaboration between the two companies.
The Ioniq 5 has already been adopted by autonomous vehicle startup Motional, a joint venture between Hyundai and auto supplier Aptiv. However, Hyundai clarified that the partnership with Waymo does not influence Motional’s operations.
This development is a testament to the growing momentum in the autonomous vehicle industry, with Waymo’s robotaxi service, Waymo One, already providing over 100,000 paid rides per week in the United States. As the industry continues to evolve, this partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation.
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