Waymo in Talks with Hyundai for Next-Generation Robotaxi

Waymo and Hyundai Discussing Partnership

Waymo, the autonomous driving company owned by Alphabet, is reportedly in talks with Hyundai to collaborate on its next-generation robotaxi. According to Korean media reports, representatives from both companies have met multiple times to discuss the possibility of using Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle for Waymo’s ride-hailing services in the US.

Replacing Waymo’s Existing Models

The discussions between Waymo and Hyundai involve the potential conversion of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 into a fully autonomous vehicle that could replace Waymo’s current fleet of Chinese-built Zeekr models. This partnership would allow Waymo to overcome the challenges posed by tariffs on Chinese imports to the US.

Waymo’s Current Fleet and Future Plans

Currently, Waymo operates a fleet of Jaguar I-Pace EVs for its autonomous ride-hailing services. However, the company has been testing its sixth-generation autonomous system on a limited number of Zeekr minivan cabs. Waymo’s latest hardware includes advanced cameras, lidar, radar, and audio receivers, enabling it to handle a wider range of weather conditions.

Hyundai’s Delayed Robotaxi Plans

Hyundai recently announced a delay in its own plans to launch a robotaxi based on the Ioniq 5. The introduction of Hyundai’s robotaxi has been pushed back to 2026 due to a restructuring process at Motional, a startup created by Hyundai and Aptiv. Motional currently operates Ioniq 5 taxis in Las Vegas through partnerships with Lyft and Uber, as well as delivery services in Santa Monica via Uber Eats.

Waymo and Hyundai have not provided official comments on the partnership speculation.