{"id":33090,"date":"2022-10-06T10:05:02","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T14:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=33090"},"modified":"2022-10-06T10:05:02","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T14:05:02","slug":"uber-deploying-motional-ioniq-5-robotaxis-to-millions-of-riders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=33090","title":{"rendered":"Uber deploying Motional IONIQ 5 driverless robotaxis to millions of riders over the next decade"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rideshare provider Uber has signed a 10-year, multi-market commercial agreement with Motional<\/a> \u2013 a developer of driverless robotaxis. As part of the agreement, Uber will deploy Motional\u2019s IONIQ 5 electric robotaxis in select markets at first, with the potential to reach millions of customers by providing both ride-hailing and delivery services autonomously.<\/p>\n

Motional is an autonomous driving technology developer that exists as a joint venture between\u00a0Hyundai Motor Group<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Aptiv \u2013 specialists in advanced safety, electrification, and vehicle connectivity. It is headquartered in Boston with more recent offices in Santa Monica, California, where the company has been testing its driverless robotaxis built upon Hyundai IONIQ 5 EVs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2021,\u00a0the public got the first glimpse<\/a>\u00a0of Motional\u2019s IONIQ 5 robotaxis, which have completed a fully-autonomous cross-country drive in the US, in addition to 100,000 public rides. Prior to today\u2019s news, Motional has already had a working relationship with Uber Technologies ($UBER)<\/a> that has consisted of autonomous food deliveries<\/a> in the Los Angeles area.<\/p>\n

Now, the companies have expanded their collaboration into a full commercial agreement that will include Uber passenger rides in the driverless robotaxis, in addition to expanded autonomous deliveries.<\/p>\n

\"Uber
Source: Motional<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Motional\u2019s robotaxis first to offer rides and deliveries for Uber<\/h2>\n

The driverless robotaxi developer shared details of the new decade-long agreement with Uber Technologies in a press release<\/a> today, outlining hope for a steadfast adoption of robotaxis in the US. According to Motional, the partnership is the first in the industry to include both driverless ride-hailing and delivery services. All using Hyundai IONIQ 5<\/a> robotaxis, at least to begin.<\/p>\n

The companies state that the new commercial agreement builds upon the aforementioned pilot program that utilized Motional robotaxis to serve Uber Eats customers. Based on the success of that program, the companies have already expanded delivery operations and now intend to bring both passenger rides and additional cities into the fold. Motional president and CEO Karl Iagnemma spoke:<\/p>\n

\n

This agreement will be instrumental to the wide scale adoption of robotaxis. Motional now has unparalleled access to millions of riders and a roadmap to scale significantly over the next ten years. We\u2019re proud to partner with Uber to bring both driverless ride-hail and deliveries to life in cities throughout the US.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Uber said it intends to share targeted insights with Motional to position the latter\u2019s robotaxis efficiently and effectively in order to maximize revenue-generating services, while simultaneously reducing wait times and costs for its customers \u2013 some of the perks the companies expect to achieve thanks to the driverless EV technology. <\/p>\n

The companies shared that they intend to strategically deploy these driverless ride-hailing and delivery services in cities across the US, and first trips are expected to begin later this year. To begin, Motional\u2019s IONIQ 5 robotaxis will be available to hail from the UberX and Uber Comfort Electric categories in cities where available. So keep an eye out!<\/p>\n

\n

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.<\/em> More.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos<\/a> and subscribe to the podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n