Waymo deploying Hyundai Ioniq 5 as robotaxis

Waymo turned to Hyundai for the supply of vehicles to be converted into robotaxis for its growing Waymo One ride service.

On Friday Waymo and Hyundai announced a multi-year partnership that will see Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving hardware and software be installed in Hyundai's Ioniq 5 EV. The turn of events makes the Ioniq 5 Waymo's next self-driving taxi.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5s will be built at Hyundais U.S. Metaplant in Georgia and then fitted with Waymo's self-driving hardware and software. Initial on-road testing is said to commence late in 2025 with consumer rides starting in the years to follow.

Volume numbers weren't provided, but the companies said a fleet of the self-driving taxis will come in "significant volume over multiple years."

Waymo already has a deal with Geely-owned Zeekr for the supply of electric minivans, but Reuters, citing South Korea's Electronic Times, reported in September that the Alphabet-owned company was in talks with Hyundai over a deal to use the Ioniq 5 compact crossover instead of the Zeekr minivan.

The move helps Waymo avoid paying the 100% tariff on Chinese-built EVs like the Zeekr minivan. The tariff takes effect from Sept. 27.

Waymo in a response to Reuters said it continues to validate its latest self-driving system, known as the Waymo Driver, in the Zeekr minivans and will add the vehicles to its Waymo One service when they are ready. Waymo's current robotaxis are based on the Jaguar I-Pace compact crossover. Previously, the company used Chrysler Pacifica minivans.

Waymo robotaxi

Zeekr in its own response to Reuters said there was no change to its partnership with Waymo.

Hyundai itself uses the Ioniq 5 as the basis for a robotaxi service known as Motional, which is being developed jointly by Hyundai and automotive supplier Aptiv. Motional has run successful trials of its service in Las Vegas and is expected to launch a public service in 2026.

Waymo's Waymo One service has been in operation for several years and currently operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, with the company delivering more than 100,000 trips per week, it claims. It plans to expand the network to Austin and Atlanta in early 2025, using the Uber network in those cities.