Hyundai and Waymo collaborate to integrate autonomous technology into electric vehicles, starting with IONIQ 5 SUV.
Production of autonomous IONIQ 5 vehicles to begin at Hyundai’s Metaplant America facility in Georgia.
Partnership aims to expand Waymo One ride-hailing service and advance autonomous vehicle technology integration.
Hyundai and Waymo have entered into a multi-year strategic partnership to integrate autonomous driving technology into Hyundai’s electric vehicles. The collaboration will begin with the integration of Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous system into Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV.
The Waymo-equipped IONIQ 5 vehicles will be manufactured at Hyundai’s new Metaplant America facility in Georgia. Production is set to commence in significant volumes over multiple years to support the expansion of Waymo’s ride-hailing service, Waymo One.
Initial on-road testing of the autonomous IONIQ 5 models is scheduled to begin by late 2025. These vehicles are expected to become available to Waymo One customers in subsequent years.
José Muñoz, President and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, stated, “Waymo’s transformational technology is improving road safety where they operate, and the IONIQ 5 is the ideal vehicle to scale this further.”
The partnership aligns with Hyundai’s recently announced autonomous vehicle foundry business, which aims to provide vehicles capable of SAE Level 4 or higher autonomous driving to global companies.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, citing Hyundai’s focus on sustainability and electric vehicle development as key factors in the collaboration.
The IONIQ 5 vehicles destined for Waymo’s fleet will feature specific modifications to support autonomous operation, including redundant hardware and power doors. The electric SUV’s 800-volt architecture is designed to enable fast charging, minimizing downtime between shifts.
Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 was chosen for its spacious interior, which offers ample legroom, headroom, and cargo space to enhance rider comfort during autonomous journeys.
The partnership between Hyundai and Waymo shows the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology and its integration into commercially available electric vehicles. Both companies have expressed interest in exploring additional collaboration opportunities in the future.
