Hyundai Motor and Waymo have agreed to a multi-year strategic partnership that includes the self-driving company adding the South Korean automaker’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle to its robotaxi fleet.
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hyundai car Waymo and Waymo have agreed to a multi-year strategic partnership that includes the self-driving company adding the South Korean automaker’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle to its robotaxi fleet.
The companies announced Friday that Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving technology, known as Waymo Driver, will be integrated “substantially over a multi-year period to support.” alphabet-Supporting the company’s ever-growing robotaxi business.
It comes nearly two months after Waymo revealed details of its latest “6th generation” self-driving technology. The technology will be integrated into the Geely Zeekr electric vehicle and should be able to handle a wider range of weather conditions without requiring as many expensive cameras and sensors. on board.
Waymo currently has a fleet of approximately 700 vehicles and operates Waymo One, the only commercial robotaxi service in the United States. We currently offer more than 100,000 paid robotaxis rides each week in the United States.
The Ioniq 5 EV will be produced at Hyundai’s planned MetaPlant America in Georgia and will be equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology. The EVs will be delivered to Waymo with specific modifications to enable autonomous driving, such as redundant hardware and powered doors.
First road tests with Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5 are expected to begin by late 2025. Waymo One robotaxi passengers will be able to use it in the next few years, the companies said.
The companies declined to disclose the financial terms of the partnership, but confirmed that Waymo would purchase and own the vehicles.
Waymo has previously partnered with other car brands such as Chrysler and Jaguar to produce and integrate its technology into vehicles.
Jose Muñoz, Hyundai Chief Operating Officer and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, said the integration of Waymo and Ioniq 5 is the first step in a partnership that could grow in the future.
“The team at our new manufacturing facility is ready to allocate a significant number of vehicles to the ever-expanding Waymo One fleet,” Muñoz said in a statement. “Importantly, this is the first step in our partnership and we are actively exploring further opportunities for collaboration.”
The Ioniq 5 is already in use by self-driving car startup Motional, a joint venture between Hyundai and car suppliers. Aptive. Hyundai said the partnership with Waymo “has no impact” on Motional.
— CNBC’s Jennifer Elias contributed to this report.
