Hyundai Collaborates with Yandex Spinoff Avride to Launch Cutting-Edge Robotaxi Technology
Hyundai Motor Company has teamed up with Avride to jointly develop autonomous vehicles, marking a significant step in their collaboration aimed at enhancing self-driving technology.
Focus on Autonomous Vehicle Technology
This partnership will primarily concentrate on developing autonomous vehicle technology tailored for robotaxi services. Additionally, the companies plan to explore various applications for this technology, including autonomous delivery using Avride’s innovative sidewalk delivery robots.
Expansion of the Fleet
As part of this collaboration, Avride will enhance its fleet with the addition of Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles. These vehicles will be manufactured at the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia and will be integrated with Avride’s autonomous technology. The rollout of these vehicles is expected later this year in Dallas, where they will serve as part of Avride’s robotaxi service accessible exclusively through the Uber app.
Background on Avride and Partnerships
Avride, an Austin-based autonomous vehicle startup that originated from Yandex, has secured multiple partnerships over the past year. This agreement with Hyundai is a continuation of Hyundai’s strategy to collaborate with external partners to advance their autonomous technology. Notably, AV leader Waymo established a partnership with Hyundai in October 2024 to incorporate the IONIQ 5 EV into its robotaxi network.
Motional’s Involvement
Hyundai is a key investor in Motional, an autonomous vehicle startup formed through a substantial joint venture with Aptiv in 2019. Motional is focused on achieving Level 4 autonomy, where the vehicle navigates without human intervention. Despite facing challenges, including a shift in Aptiv’s funding strategy, Hyundai has committed an additional $1 billion to support Motional’s initiatives.
- Recent layoffs at Motional were part of a major restructuring.
- CEO Karl Iagnemma stepped down in September due to these changes.
Statements from Company Leaders
Avride’s collaboration with Hyundai is intended to complement rather than replace Motional’s efforts. Dmitry Polishchuk, CEO of Avride, stated, “Our team has been working with Hyundai Motor Group since 2019, and we value the professionalism and collaboration that have defined this partnership.” He also mentioned plans to expand their fleet to as many as 100 autonomous IONIQ 5s by 2025.
Chang Song, president of Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing its autonomous vehicle strategy, stating, “We are expanding our collaboration with leading autonomous driving tech companies like Avride, fostering an environment where their innovations can actively participate in our endeavor to shape the future of mobility.”
Conclusion
The partnership between Hyundai and Avride signifies a promising future for autonomous vehicles, as both companies strive to innovate and expand their offerings in the rapidly evolving transportation sector. For more insights into the latest developments in autonomous technology, check out our article on autonomous vehicle advancements.
