Hyundai Ioniq 5 to Become Robotaxi with Motional and Lyft

Motional and Hyundai Develop First Robotaxi

Motional is set to incorporate its autonomous driving technology into Hyundai’s all-electric SUV, resulting in the creation of the company’s inaugural robotaxi service.

Beginning in early 2023, customers in select areas will have the option to reserve a completely electric and fully self-driving taxi via the Lyft application.

IONIQ 5 Integration and Autonomous Capabilities

The Hyundai IONIQ 5, initially unveiled in February and slated for general consumer release later this year, will undergo complete integration with Motional’s driverless system.

These vehicles will be outfitted with the necessary hardware and software to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving. This includes lidar, radar, and cameras.

The sensing system will provide a comprehensive 360-degree field of vision, with the capability to detect objects up to 300 meters distant.

Achieving Level 4 autonomy signifies that no human intervention will be needed to operate the vehicle.

Robotaxi Interior and Testing

The interior layout will largely resemble the standard consumer model of the IONIQ 5.

However, it will also include additional features specifically designed for robotaxi functionality, as stated by a Motional representative.

Currently, Motional has not disclosed whether the robotaxi will retain a steering wheel, and visual representations of the vehicle are not yet public.

Extensive testing of the Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxis is already underway on both public roads and in controlled environments.

Further months of rigorous testing and real-world data collection will be conducted before deployment on the Lyft platform.

The company affirms that deployment will only occur once a demonstrable safety advantage over human drivers is established.

Partnership and Previous Testing

Motional, a $4 billion joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai, focuses on the commercialization of driverless vehicle technology.

The partnership with Lyft, announced in December, highlights the ride-hailing company’s central role in Motional’s strategic plans.

Recent announcements confirm that Motional has initiated testing of its driverless technology on public roads in Las Vegas.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 represents Motional’s second vehicle platform to achieve driverless operation on public roadways.

Here's a summary of key features:

• Level 4 Autonomy: No human driver required.
• Sensing Range: Up to 300 meters.
• Key Sensors: Lidar, radar, and cameras.
• Deployment: Via the Lyft app in select markets.