The American company Waymo and the Korean car manufacturer Hyundai have announced a strategic partnership.
At the first stage of this partnership, Waymo will install the sixth-generation autonomous driving system in the Ioniq 5 electric car. By the way, Waymo had previously planned to use Chinese electric cars Zeekr (Geely), but due to the new US policy, it decided to abandon them.
The first tests of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi will begin at the end of 2025, and commercial use is planned for "the following years."
Waymo and Hyundai also intend to produce autonomous electric vehicles in "significant volumes within a few years." The companies also said that the Ioniq 5 will come with "autonomous driving-ready modifications, such as backup equipment and electric doors."
In case you didn't know, Waymo is an American company specializing in the development of autonomous driving technologies. It was founded in 2009 as a Google project and later became a separate subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Waymo creates self-driving car systems using advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensors, and mapping technologies.
The company's main goal is to create safe, efficient and affordable transportation of the future. Waymo tests its cars on US roads and offers self-driving taxi service in some cities. Waymo vehicles are equipped with comprehensive systems of radars, cameras, and lidars that allow them to safely navigate in difficult road conditions.
Waymo is considered one of the leaders in the field of self-driving vehicles.