First Ioniq 5 robotaxis to be rolled out in Las Vegas next year

The first Hyundai Ioniq 5 self-driving robotaxis will be rolled out in Las Vegas next year, as the South Korean car makers launches a global marketing campaigning to share its vision for the future.

The Ioniq 5 has won multiple “car of the year” awards since its roll out last year, with most impressed by its new electric vehicle platform that delivers lots of interior space, and vehicle to load (V2L) technology.

Hyundai has previously revealed that it has struck a deal with driverless technology company Motional, and has now announced that the first five Ioniq 5 robot axis – will be start operating in Las Vegas in 2023 before being rolled out across major US cities.

The Ioniq 5 robotaxis will feature level 4 autonomous technologies developed by the Boston-based Motional that deliver a range of software and hardware that enable vehicles to operate safely operate without a driver.

Level 1 autonomy includes features such as adaptive cruise control, while Level 2 includes lane assist where a car keeps within lanes. Level 3 allows the car to drive itself in certain situations, such as traffic jams.

Level 4 autonomy indicates a car driving itself in almost every situation, whereas level 5 takes it to the true “driverless” situation where there might not even be pedals or steering wheels.

Hyundai has launched what it describes as a “global manifesto campaign” called ‘Innovation Begins, from Very Human Things’ to share its vision for self-driving robotaxis. Its main marketing line is that a robotaxi is “a mobility solution with humanity inside — not just without a human driver.”