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| A closer look at Motional’s robotaxi technology implemented on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Source: Motional |
Motional has published the first photograph of their next-generation robotaxi, which is based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV. Beginning in 2023, the Ioniq 5 robotaxi will be used in completely driverless public transport services.
Motional is a Boston-based developer focused on autonomous driving technologies. Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv established a joint venture to create it. The former is well-known as the manufacturer of the future Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV, while the latter focuses on improved safety, electrification, and vehicle connectivity.
We reported earlier this month that Motional was looking to expand its position on the West Coast of the United States. In Los Angeles, the company expanded its personnel and moved to a larger location in Santa Monica.
Motional also announced plans for a new operating facility to enable public mapping and road testing of its Hyundai Ioniq 5 robotaxi version. We weren't able to get a look at the upgraded EV, however.
The public gets its first look at Motional's Hyundai Ioniq 5, as well as an update on its implementation status, with today's announcement.
The Ioniq 5 robotaxi has been updated by Motional and Hyundai Motor Group.
Motional, the autonomous driving company, published the first public image of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi, which was promised earlier this year. These new Ioniqs are SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicles, meaning they can drive self.
The Ioniq 5 is also Motional's first foray into commercial vehicles, having been designed from the ground up in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group to be totally self-driving. Karl Iagnemma, president and CEO of Motional, spoke about the company's robotaxi:
Motional's vision of a driverless future has come true with this robotaxi. We have unique automotive and software experience across our entire vehicle development process because to our joint collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv. We are able to manufacture a robotaxi that is both highly safe and reliable, as well as cost-optimized for global production, thanks to our close partnership. We're looking for mass commercialization, and the Ioniq 5 robotaxi is designed to help us achieve that goal.
A remote Motional operator can connect to the Ioniq 5 robotaxi and change its direction using Remote Vehicle Assistance if any dangerous road events develop, such as construction or flooding (RVA). Woongjun Jang, the head of Hyundai Motor Group's autonomous driving centre, also spoke:
We used multiple redundancy technologies, as well as a suite of vital technologies, to protect the safety and convenience of the passengers on the Ioniq 5-based robotaxi. We are pleased to announce that we have successfully integrated the Group's Ioniq 5 robotaxi with Motional's autonomous driving technology, marking another important step forward in commercialization of our robotaxi.
At the IAA Mobility conference in Munich next week, Motional and Hyundai will make the Ioniq 5 robotaxis public for the first time. As part of a previously announced agreement with Lyft, the businesses expect to begin transporting public passengers in the Ioniq 5 robotaxis in 2023.
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