In a significant development for the autonomous vehicle industry, Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet Inc., is reportedly in discussions with South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor for a contract manufacturing agreement for its robotaxis.
According to reports from South Korean newspaper Electronic Times, officials from both companies have met multiple times, including at Waymo’s headquarters in the United States. The talks center around Waymo’s potential procurement of Hyundai vehicles to be deployed as robotaxis.
The report suggests that Waymo is considering utilizing Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle for its 6th-generation self-driving technology. This decision, if confirmed, represents a shift from Waymo’s previous plans to use electric vehicles from the Geely-owned brand Zeekr. The change in strategy is attributed to rising tariffs on EV imports from China.
Currently, Waymo deploys its self-driving technology on a range of vehicles, including the Jaguar i-Pace and the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid. While Waymo, Hyundai, and Zeekr have not yet commented on the reports, the potential partnership highlights the growing importance of established automakers in the development and deployment of autonomous driving technology.
This move by Waymo follows Alphabet’s recent commitment of $5 billion in new investment to the company, aimed at solidifying its position as the leading developer of autonomous driving technology. Notably, Waymo has been making significant strides in the commercialization of its technology, with reports indicating that the company delivers over 50,000 paid robotaxi rides per week.
The autonomous vehicle industry is experiencing rapid growth, with analysts expecting sales of autonomous light vehicles in the U.S. to reach approximately 230,000 units by 2034. This potential collaboration between Waymo and Hyundai could further accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving technology, potentially shaping the future of mobility.
