Hyundai and Waymo recently announced a multi-year strategic partnership, a significant step toward integrating the autonomous driving technology in the world of electric vehicles. This collaboration will focus on the implementation of the Waymo’s sixth generation autonomous driving systemknown as Waymo Driver, on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric crossover.
The integration of technology
In the first phase of this alliancethe IONIQ 5 will be assembled at Hyundai Motor Group’s new Metaplant America plant, located in Georgia, USA. This plant represents an important investment for Hyundai, as it will serve as a hub for the production of electric vehicles for the North American market. Once assembled, the IONIQ 5 will be equipped with the Waymo’s autonomous technology, which includes a number of specific modifications, such as redundant hardware and electrical ports, to ensure maximum safety and reliability.
Hyundai and Waymo together for autonomous driving
The two companies plan to develop a significant fleet of IONIQ 5s equipped with Waymo technology over the course of several years, in response to the growing demand for autonomous mobility services. Waymo One, Waymo’s autonomous taxi service will benefit greatly from this collaboration, as the new IONIQ 5 will be available to users in the coming years.
Road test and availability
Initial road tests of the IONIQ 5 equipped with Waymo technology are planned by the end of 2025. This represents a crucial step in testing the capabilities of the autonomous driving system in real-world scenarios, ensuring that the service is ready and safe for the public. Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO Waymo, explained: “We are thrilled to partner with Hyundai to advance our mission to become the world’s most reliable driver. Hyundai’s attention for sustainability and the solid roadmap of electric vehicles make us an ideal partner to bring our fully autonomous service to more users in more places.”
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