Hyundai Motor Company and Waymo have just announced a multi-year strategic partnership, marking a step forward for autonomous driving.
This collaboration will initially focus on integrating Waymo’s sixth-generation fully autonomous technology, known as the Waymo Driver, into Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV, which will eventually join Waymo’s growing fleet. If you’re wondering what this means, the IONIQ 5 is about to become a full-fledged autonomous vehicle.
The vehicles slated for Waymo’s fleet will be assembled at Hyundai’s EV manufacturing facility – Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. Each vehicle will be equipped with Waymo’s sophisticated autonomous systems, designed to operate safely in a wide range of environments.
Initial testing of these Waymo-powered IONIQ 5s is set to begin on public roads by late 2025, with the goal of gradually integrating them into Waymo One’s ride-hailing service. Waymo’s co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, summed it up: “We’re thrilled to partner with Hyundai as we further our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver.”
On Hyundai’s side, the excitement is mutual. José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Hyundai and Waymo share a vision to improve the safety, efficiency, and convenience of how people move.”
For Hyundai, this isn’t just a one-off venture. As Chang Song, president and head of Hyundai’s Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division, pointed out, the company recently launched its autonomous vehicle foundry business to provide vehicles that can accommodate Level 4 or higher autonomous driving technology. The IONIQ 5 vehicles bound for Waymo’s fleet will come with a few special touches, like autonomous-ready modifications such as redundant hardware and power doors.
So, one day you might call for a driver, and only a car will show up. What a world we live in.
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