A promotional campaign video on its global YouTube channel showcasing the Ioniq 5 robotaxi’s journey to obtain a U.S. driver’s license (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)
SEOUL, Apr. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Hyundai Motor Company has released a promotional campaign video on its global YouTube channel showcasing the Ioniq 5 robotaxi’s journey to obtain a U.S. driver’s license, a milestone announced on March 31.
The video, titled “Ioniq 5 robotaxi – Hyundai gets its driver’s license,” chronicles the autonomous vehicle’s venture through the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada, with a DMV examiner seated in the passenger seat.
The Ioniq 5 is subjected to the same rigorous standards as human drivers, including adherence to traffic laws, awareness of the surroundings, and responsiveness to sudden obstacles.
Remarkably, the Ioniq 5 robotaxi successfully met all evaluation criteria to earn its license in a single attempt.
Candice Jones, the examiner, highlighted the vehicle’s exceptional performance, noting that only about 16% of the 31,500 individuals she has tested over the past 25 years have passed on their first try.
The achievement of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi is not just a testament to Hyundai’s technological prowess but also a step towards greater accessibility and independence for individuals with disabilities.
The Ioniq 5 robotaxi successfully met all evaluation criteria to earn its license in a single attempt. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Co.)
The vehicle was developed by Motional, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and the U.S. autonomous driving technology company Aptiv established in 2020.
This groundbreaking robotaxi is the first vehicle to achieve certification under the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) as a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Level 4 autonomous vehicle.
This designation signifies that the car can operate without human intervention in most driving scenarios.
Jee Sungwon, Hyundai’s Global Marketing head, expressed the company’s vision, stating, “Hyundai aims to provide a new level of mobility freedom with future mobility solutions, elevating the human experience.”
The Ioniq 5 robotaxi’s successful driver’s test and its potential to assist people like Pearl Outlaw, a visually impaired individual featured in the campaign, moving independently to their desired destinations, underscores Hyundai’s commitment to advancing mobility solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and accessible.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
