A multi-year strategic agreement has been established between Waymo and Hyundai Motor Company to incorporate Waymo's sixth-generation autonomous technology, known as Waymo Driver, into Hyundai's all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV. This collaboration will see the IONIQ 5 vehicles, manufactured at Hyundai’s new Metaplant facility in Georgia, join the Waymo One fleet. The companies aim to produce a significant volume of these vehicles over multiple years to support the growing scale of Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service. Initial testing of the Waymo-enabled IONIQ 5 is expected by late 2025, with availability to Waymo One riders following thereafter.
Both companies share a vision to improve transportation safety, efficiency, and convenience. Hyundai’s focus on sustainability aligns with Waymo’s mission to provide trusted autonomous driving technology. The IONIQ 5’s design, which includes redundant hardware and power doors, as well as its spacious interior and long-range capabilities, makes it an ideal candidate for Waymo’s fleet. Hyundai’s advanced manufacturing will help scale this autonomous service, with potential future collaborations between the two companies already being explored.
