Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled the Level 4 robotaxi it developed with Motional to start transporting passengers in 2023, a high-tech version of its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle with more than 30 sensors to give a 360-degree, high-resolution view of the vehicle’s surroundings.
In a joint statement, Hyundai Motor Group and Motional on Tuesday said the all-electric crossover would begin public service in two years through a partnership with ride-hailing giant Lyft. The robotaxi will be Motional’s first commercial vehicle and is based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 that debuted this year on the Hyundai Motor Group’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform.The Ioniq 5 robotaxi makes its public debut this month at IAA Mobility in Munich.
The electric crossover telegraphs its self-driving abilities with a range of sensors bolted to the vehicle’s exterior. Some are behind the front wheel arch where a brake vent might be. Others are situated on the roof and look like a luggage rack with a police strobe on top.
The assemblage of more than 30 sensors includes cameras, radars and lidar, delivering a round-view, high-resolution, ultra-long-range view for safe autonomous driving, the companies said.
Meanwhile, the interior is designed to be passenger-focused for ride-hailing customers.
“The vehicle’s sensor suite is prominently displayed across the exterior, easily distinguishing the robotaxi from human-piloted vehicles,” the companies said in a joint statement. “The resulting passenger experience will set a new standard for driverless ride-hailing.”
To enhance safety, the robotaxi’s self-driving system was developed with redundancies across every function, including the navigation, steering, braking and power.
Motional said it will also be able to provide remote vehicle assistance to the Ioniq 5 robotaxis should they encounter any unforeseen obstacles, such as road construction or flooding. In such instances, a remote operator can connect to the vehicle and redirect it.
Hyundai Motor Group and Boston-based Motional announced last December they would partner to deploy fully driverless vehicles through Lyft’s platform in select markets.
Motional was formed in March 2020 as a $4 billion joint venture between the South Korean auto manufacturer and the new mobility technology specialist Aptiv. Their robotaxi service aims to kick off in 2023 on the Lyft network in multiple U.S. markets, the companies said.
The Ioniq 5 robotaxi will have SAE Level 4 autonomous capabilities. SAE International has six levels of automation — from 0, meaning no automated controls, to 5, for full autonomy.