Waymo May Use Hyundai IONIQ 5 Next

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We’ve been ready for Waymo’s Zeekr next-gen robotaxis for some time now. And it’s a gorgeous combo. I take advantage of pictures of Zeekr Waymo robotaxis each likelihood I get. Right here’s one other pair:

Waymo Zeekr idea robotaxi. Picture courtesy of Waymo.

Waymo 6th Generation Driver — Waymo Zeekr idea robotaxi. Picture courtesy of Waymo.

The issue is that Zeekr is a Chinese language EV firm, and Chinese language EV corporations are going through excessive blockage within the US, together with 100% tariffs. Waymo is reportedly engaged on a approach round this, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to be getting the TSA PreCheck remedy. Within the meantime …

There’s now a rumor out of Reuters that Waymo might purchase Hyundai IONIQ 5 autos for its next-gen Waymo Driver robotaxis. I wouldn’t hate that. The IONIQ 5 is among the coolest trying automobiles on the highway, it and the Kia EV6 could be my prime two selections if I used to be going to purchase an EV tomorrow, and it’s received a really sci-fi look that matches the position of a robotaxi. Additionally, surely, we will depend on Hyundai being able to scale up manufacturing as wanted.

Waymo and Hyundai employees have reportedly met 3 times about this potential deal. And the reporting signifies that the IONIQ 5 might be chosen as an alternative of the Zeekr mannequin. Waymo appears to disagree, although. The corporate offered this assertion to Reuters:

“We’ll decline to comment on speculation, but I can share that we are hard at work validating the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on the Zeekr platform and intend to introduce it into our fleet when ready.”

Zeekr additionally remark:

“There is no change to Zeekr’s partnership with Waymo (and they are) actively working together to deploy the vehicles.”

Hmm….

Perhaps Waymo is planning to make use of autos from each corporations, and use the range of fashions or choices as safety towards any disruptions attributable to tariffs, or blocked imports. At all times good to bake in a bit threat aversion.

We will see. Within the meantime, get pleasure from these footage of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 with out the Waymo branding and simply image it with a Waymo wrap or paint job: