Hyundai Motor Company and Waymo have announced a multi-year strategic partnership aimed at advancing autonomous driving technology. The collaboration will see Waymo’s sixth-generation fully autonomous system, known as the Waymo Driver, integrated into Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV, marking a significant expansion of the Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing fleet.
The IONIQ 5 vehicles, equipped with Waymo’s state-of-the-art technology, will be produced at Hyundai’s newly established Metaplant America EV facility in Georgia. Over the coming years, the companies plan to manufacture these vehicles in significant volume, with initial on-road testing slated for late 2025. The autonomous IONIQ 5s will become available to Waymo One passengers in subsequent years, further expanding the service’s scale.
“We are thrilled to partner with Hyundai as we further our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “Hyundai’s commitment to sustainability and its strong EV roadmap make them an ideal partner for us.”
José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, emphasized the shared goal of enhancing road safety and efficiency through autonomous driving. “The IONIQ 5 is the perfect vehicle to support Waymo’s technology and expand their autonomous fleet,” he said.
As part of the partnership, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 vehicles will feature autonomous-ready modifications, including redundant hardware and power doors, while leveraging the vehicle’s award-winning 800-volt architecture for fast charging and long driving shifts.
This partnership marks the first in Hyundai’s newly launched autonomous vehicle foundry business, positioning the automaker as a key player in the development of vehicles designed for SAE Level 4 autonomy or higher. Both companies are actively exploring further opportunities for collaboration in the autonomous mobility sector.
