The Hyundai IONIQ 5 enters the testing phase to begin operating as a robotaxi in Waymo's fleet

Waymo is set to take a major step forward in improving and upgrading its driverless passenger transport service with the integration of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 into its current fleet. The electric crossover from the South Korean manufacturer is currently in testing on the streets of San Francisco, California, equipped with the sensor system of the company’s sixth-generation autonomous driving system.

The strategic collaboration between Waymo and Hyundai was announced just over a year ago. At that time it was already explained that the intention of both companies was to start the testing phase at the end of 2025, with the goal that the first IONIQ 5 units would begin providing service as part of Waymo’s robotaxi fleet in early 2026.

All IONIQ 5 units intended to form part of Waymo’s fleet are produced at the new Hyundai plant located in the state of Georgia, in the United States, and are subsequently modified with Waymo’s autonomous driving system. Hyundai will personally take charge of adapting all these vehicles by implementing some specific modifications requested by Waymo, which affect the range and also the vehicle’s hardware, such as the integration of electrically opening doors.

Once these modifications are completed and the vehicles are off the assembly line, they will be equipped by Waymo with its sixth-generation hardware and software system. This technology package includes 13 cameras, four LiDAR sensors, six radars and a set of microphones that enable a complete perception of the environment, providing a 360-degree view that makes it possible to detect objects at a distance of up to 500 meters.

Hyundai and Zeekr take over from Jaguar

Waymo began its activity using units of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which it later replaced with the electric Jaguar I-Pace it currently uses. The withdrawal of the I-Pace from the market has forced the company to look for alternatives by turning to electric models from other manufacturers. In addition to the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Waymo also plans to serve its customers using a minivan designed specifically for this function by the Chinese manufacturer Zeekr. This minivan, based on the Zeekr MIX sold in China, is already being tested in some American cities.

Looking ahead, Waymo’s plans involve offering several different models to its customers to meet varied needs. According to the company, some customers will look for a more premium vehicle, for example for a night date, while others will require more interior space to go to a football match with plenty of equipment. In each of these cases the customer will be able to choose the vehicle that interests them most, without being limited to a single model as is currently the case.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai IONIQ 58 versions · from 44,670 €