Waymo Explores Partnership with Hyundai for Ioniq 5 Self-Driving Taxis Amid Tariffs on Chinese EVs

According to Reuters, discussions are underway between Waymo and Hyundai regarding the integration of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, known as Waymo Driver, into Hyundai's Ioniq 5 for potential use as autonomous taxis.

Representatives from Wayne and Hyundai have held multiple discussions, exceeding three in count, regarding the incorporation of the Ioniq 5 into Waymo's autonomous taxi offering, the report indicates. Furthermore, it suggests that the Ioniq 5 is set to take over from cars that currently utilize a framework provided by China's car manufacturer, Zeekr.

Autonomous taxi service by Waymo built on the Zeekr SEA-M framework.

In 2022, Waymo unveiled an autonomous cab built on the Zeekr SEA-M platform. However, the Biden administration has recently levied a 100% tax on electric vehicles produced in China. This tariff is scheduled to commence on the 27th of September.

Waymo conveyed to Reuters that it continues to rigorously test its 6th-generation autonomous driving technology on Zeekr's vehicles. Concurrently, Zeekr confirmed to the news agency that its collaboration with Waymo remains unchanged. Meanwhile, Hyundai informed that decisions regarding new ventures have not yet been finalized.

Autonomous Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicle

Previously, Waymo utilized a limited number of custom-built autonomous vehicles for trial runs, but has since shifted to using cars from traditional car manufacturers to advance its autonomous driving technology into the market. The vehicles used have been exclusively plug-in types, such as the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV.

The Ioniq 5 was initially set to be transformed into an autonomous cab through Motional, a collaborative effort between Hyundai and car component provider Aptiv. In 2021, Motional showcased a self-piloting prototype of the Ioniq 5, with aspirations to kick off a "robotaxi" operation by 2023. However, according to a May report by TechCrunch, Motional has delayed its market debut to 2026 due to an organizational overhaul. A collaboration between Hyundai and Waymo could prove beneficial for both parties.

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