Waymo autonomous tech to be integrated into Hyundai’s IONIQ 5

Hyundai and Waymo Enter Multi-Year, Strategic Partnership

Hyundai and Waymo have entered into a multi-year, strategic partnership that will see the companies integrate Waymo’s fully autonomous technology (the Waymo Driver) into Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 electric vehicle during the first phase of the team-up.

“Waymo’s transformational technology is improving road safety where they operate, and the IONIQ 5 is the ideal vehicle to scale this further,” said José Muñoz, President and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, and President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, in a statement. 

The IONIQ 5 vehicles meant for the Waymo fleet will be assembled at the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America EV manufacturing facility in Georgia. It will then be integrated with Waymo’s autonomous technology. On-road testing of the Waymo-enabled IONIQ 5s is set to begin in late 2025. They will then be made available to Waymo One riders in the years to come. 

“The team at our new manufacturing facility is ready to allocate a significant number of vehicles for the Waymo One fleet as it continues to expand,” said Muñoz. “Importantly, this is the first step in the partnership between the two companies and we are actively exploring additional opportunities for collaboration.”

Hyundai said its IONIQ 5 will be delivered to Waymo with “specific autonomous-ready modifications” like redundant hardware and power doors. The changes will also allow for long driving shifts on a single charge.

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