Hyundai Robotaxis: Waymo Could Get Tens of Thousands

Hyundai is turning robotaxis into a major EV business, with plans to build tens of thousands of IONIQ 5 vehicles for Waymo at its Georgia factory.

Hyundai sees robotaxis as a new EV opportunity

The Hyundai robotaxi strategy is expanding as electric-vehicle demand in the United States grows more slowly than expected. Instead of relying only on private buyers, Hyundai is looking toward autonomous mobility companies for additional EV volume.

Hyundai Motor Company CEO José Muñoz said the company plans to build tens of thousands of IONIQ 5 robotaxis for Waymo.

The vehicles will be produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia. Hyundai says the first IONIQ 5 robotaxis for Waymo will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The project turns robotaxis into more than a technology experiment. For Hyundai, it is becoming a dedicated business opportunity within its electric-vehicle operations.

The partnership between Hyundai and Waymo dates back to 2024.

The companies agreed to integrate Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous-driving technology into the electric IONIQ 5. The vehicles are being assembled in Georgia before receiving the technology needed for autonomous operation.

The IONIQ 5 was selected because of its electric architecture and packaging.

Hyundai says Waymo vehicles will use the company’s sixth-generation Waymo Driver. The vehicles will also receive autonomous-ready modifications, including redundant hardware and power doors.

That means the project is not simply about selling standard IONIQ 5s.

Hyundai is preparing vehicles specifically for autonomous mobility.

Georgia factory becomes a key part of the plan

The Hyundai robotaxi programme is closely tied to the company’s Georgia manufacturing operation.

The Metaplant America, located near Savannah, already produces the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9. Hyundai has also been validating IONIQ 5 vehicles equipped with Waymo’s autonomous-driving technology at the facility.

The factory therefore gives Hyundai a local production base for robotaxi vehicles.

That is important for scaling.

Waymo says its service is already operating in 14 U.S. cities, following recent launches in Denver, San Diego and Tampa.

As the service expands, the need for more vehicles also increases.

Hyundai has also made a broader commitment to U.S. manufacturing.

The company says it has committed $26 billion to U.S. investment from 2025 through 2028. Part of that strategy includes increasing production capacity and investing in autonomous driving, robotics, artificial intelligence and other technologies.

That makes the Waymo agreement part of a much larger industrial strategy.

The robotaxi programme can use Hyundai’s manufacturing capacity while also giving the company a new channel for electric vehicles.

Muñoz described the opportunity as particularly important at a time when EV demand has not developed as quickly as automakers expected.

The IONIQ 5 will use Waymo’s latest technology

The IONIQ 5 robotaxis will use Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous-driving hardware.

Waymo and Hyundai announced that the technology would be integrated into IONIQ 5 vehicles over multiple years. The companies also said they planned to produce the vehicles in significant volume as Waymo expanded its service.

The manufacturing process is also different from Waymo’s approach with some other vehicles.

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 robotaxis are being built with the necessary equipment and modifications in the production process. By contrast, Waymo has used other vehicle platforms that receive autonomous hardware later.

The first non-testing IONIQ 5 robotaxis are expected to reach Waymo in the fourth quarter of 2026. Hyundai says these vehicles will support the company’s growing autonomous ride-hailing operations.

Hyundai’s own Motional operation will also use robotaxi-ready IONIQ 5 vehicles when its commercial driverless service launches later in 2026.

This creates two potential customers for Hyundai’s autonomous-ready EV platform.

Waymo is one.

Motional is the other.

That gives Hyundai more ways to use its EV manufacturing capacity as autonomous mobility expands.

Robotaxis are becoming a new source of EV volume

The wider automotive industry is also moving toward large fleet deals for autonomous vehicles.

That matters because robotaxis can require thousands of vehicles instead of individual consumer sales.

Hyundai’s plan to build tens of thousands of IONIQ 5 robotaxis for Waymo would therefore represent a major production programme.

The company has not disclosed an exact number.

Instead, Muñoz said the volume would reach “tens of thousands” over time.

Hyundai’s strategy also fits its broader expansion in software, autonomous driving and robotics. At its 2026 CEO Investor Day, the company said it plans to scale robotaxi deliveries with Waymo while expanding its autonomous-vehicle technology roadmap.

The move gives the IONIQ 5 another role beyond traditional EV sales.

It can serve as a consumer electric crossover, a robotaxi platform and a foundation for future autonomous mobility services.

Hyundai is therefore using robotaxis as a way to create new demand for electric vehicles while expanding its role in autonomous transportation.

The first Waymo deliveries are due in the fourth quarter of 2026. From there, Hyundai’s goal is to scale production to tens of thousands of vehicles.