Hyundai Motor Group and Motional have unveiled their collaborative venture to co-develop and deploy the all-electric IONIQ 5 robotaxi in the U.S. by 2024. The announcement marks a significant stride towards integrating autonomous vehicle technology, with initial models already in testing and validation phases.
Motional, part of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), is prepared to roll out production vehicles equipped with complete driverless technology, including hardware and software, meeting U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These vehicles, a far cry from previous prototype versions, are designed with safety-certified features and human-assist capabilities, featuring steering wheels and pedals.
The choice of Singapore for production aligns with Hyundai's existing assembly facilities for the IONIQ 5 commercial vehicles. Leveraging advanced manufacturing facilities and the HMGICS's infrastructure, Motional aims to streamline production, testing, and calibration processes for the IONIQ 5 robotaxi. The center offers comprehensive support for AV production, including diagnostics, software development, and validation.
Singapore's strategic significance for Motional is multifaceted. With structured streets, governmental support, and regulatory infrastructure favoring AVs, the city-state provides an ideal testing ground for autonomous technology. Motional's history with Singapore, stemming from NuTonomy's earlier projects, further solidifies its interest in expanding into international AV markets beyond the U.S.
While Motional currently focuses on the U.S. market, the endeavor to introduce the IONIQ 5 robotaxi sets the stage for potential global expansion, indicating a promising future for autonomous vehicles in diverse urban landscapes.
