Hyundai and Waymo are collaborating to create a fleet of fully autonomous Ioniq 5 electric SUVs.

Initial on-road testing with Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5s will begin by late 2025

The two firms plan to produce a fleet of Ioniq 5s equipped with Waymo’s technology in “significant volume over multiple years” to support growth plans for the Waymo One fully autonomous ride-hailing service.

The multi-year, strategic partnership will see the Waymo Driver sixth-generation fully autonomous technology integrated into the Ioniq 5 SUV and undergo initial on-road testing by late 2025.

Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5s will then become available to Waymo One riders in a move to offer a “safe and convenient autonomous driving experience for customers”.

The Ioniq 5 vehicles destined for the Waymo fleet will be assembled at the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America EV manufacturing facility in Georgia and then integrated with Waymo’s autonomous technology.

The vehicles will be equipped with specific autonomous-ready modifications such as redundant hardware and power doors. The all-electric vehicle will enable long driving shifts on a single charge, and its 800V architecture will minimise downtime by its fast charging speeds.

Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO at Waymo, commented: “Hyundai’s focus on sustainability and strong electric vehicle roadmap makes them a great partner for us as we bring our fully autonomous service to more riders in more places.”

José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, added: “Hyundai and Waymo share a vision to improve the safety, efficiency and convenience of how people move. Waymo’s transformational technology is improving road safety where they operate, and the Ioniq 5 is the ideal vehicle to scale this further.”

It’s the first step in the partnership between the two companies, which are actively exploring additional opportunities for collaboration.

Hyundai recently announced the launch of its autonomous vehicle foundry business, which will provide global autonomous driving companies with vehicles capable of implementing SAE Level 4 or higher autonomous driving technology.