Waymo reportedly contemplating Hyundai Ioniq 5 for robotaxis

Waymo could flip to Hyundai for the availability of autos to be transformed into robotaxis for its rising Waymo One experience service.

Waymo already has a take care of Geely-owned Zeekr for the availability of electrical minivans, however Reuters, citing South Korea’s Digital Instances, reported on Thursday that the Alphabet-owned firm is in talks with Hyundai over a deal to make use of the Ioniq 5 compact crossover as an alternative of the Zeekr minivan.

Such a transfer would assist Waymo keep away from paying the 100% tariff on Chinese language-built EVs just like the Zeekr minivan. The tariff takes impact from Sept. 27.

Waymo in a response to Reuters mentioned it continues to validate its newest self-driving system, generally known as the Waymo Driver, within the Zeekr minivans and can add the autos to its Waymo One service when they’re prepared. Waymo’s present robotaxis are primarily based on the Jaguar I-Tempo compact crossover. Beforehand, the corporate used Chrysler Pacifica minivans.

Waymo robotaxi

Zeekr in its personal response to Reuters mentioned there was no change to its partnership with Waymo.

Hyundai itself makes use of the Ioniq 5 as the premise for a robotaxi service generally known as Motional, which is being developed collectively by Hyundai and automotive provider Aptiv. Motional has run profitable trials of its service in Las Vegas and is predicted to launch a public service in 2026.

Waymo’s Waymo One service has been in operation for a number of years and presently operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, with the corporate delivering greater than 100,000 journeys per week, it claims. It plans to broaden the community to Austin and Atlanta in early 2025, utilizing the Uber community in these cities.