Waymo Expands Robotaxi Fleet with Hyundai Partnership

By Abhirup Roy
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Alphabet’s Waymo will integrate electric vehicles from South Korea’s Hyundai Motor into its robotaxi fleet, enhancing its presence in the U.S.

Testing for IONIQ 5 SUVs—manufactured at Hyundai’s facility in Georgia and outfitted with Waymo’s autonomous technology—will commence by late 2025.

Currently, Waymo operates a fleet of approximately 700 vehicles, being the sole U.S. company offering fare-collecting uncrewed robotaxi services.

This partnership with Hyundai comes just days before Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk is set to reveal plans for a custom-built robotaxi product. Musk may also announce a ride-hailing platform for Tesla vehicle owners to monetize their cars during downtime.

Waymo’s existing fleet features I-PACE vehicles from Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors, as well as vehicles from Zeekr, China’s Geely EV brand. A Waymo spokesperson clarified that the Hyundai collaboration will not replace any current vehicle platforms.

Earlier this year, Waymo opened its services to all in San Francisco without a waitlist and expanded operations in metro Phoenix. Additionally, services now cover the San Francisco Peninsula and select areas of Los Angeles.

Jose Munoz, global COO of Hyundai Motor, remarked, “Our new manufacturing facility is prepared to allocate multiple vehicles for the Waymo One fleet as it continues to grow. We are exploring more collaboration opportunities.”

Despite skepticism, regulatory scrutiny, and federal investigations surrounding autonomous vehicle technology, Alphabet has announced a multi-year investment of $5 billion in Waymo.

In August, Waymo revealed its paid rides had surged to 100,000 per week in a little over three months due to expanded service areas and increased access to its robotaxis.

Other competitors in the space include General Motors’ Cruise, which is testing vehicles with human safety drivers after a prior accident, and Amazon’s Zoox, which is progressing with tests of vehicles designed without steering wheels and pedals.