South Korean automaker Hyundai has released a new campaign film showing its electric Ioniq 5 self-driving robotaxi successfully completing a process similar to that of a US driver’s license test.
Hyundai has been working on developing these robotaxis based on its award-winning Ioniq 5 for several years now, in partnership with US autonomous vehicle start-up Motional.
The first Hyundai Ioniq 5 self-driving robotaxis were promised to be deployed in Las Vegas some time in 2023, featuring level 4 autonomous technologies developed by Motional.
Fast-forward to this week, and the new campaign video from Hyundai puts a human face on the benefits and opportunities of autonomous driving, pairing it with a driver’s license-like test overseen by a professional driving examiner.
“I’m a DMV Certified Driving Examiner with 25 years of experience,” said Kandice Jones, the examiner who tested the Ioniq 5 robotaxi. You can watch the video here.
“In that time, I’ve failed thousands and thousands of students in the interest of public safety.
“It’s going to be the same criteria – just like testing a human. We’ll be monitoring the speed, lane changes. I’m going to grade manoeuvres, making a complete stop, left turns, maintaining the lane, and of course reaction time.”
Jones said the Ioniq 5 impressed with its speed control, lane changes and manoeuvring, along with its ability to accurately stop at a stop sign, perform left turns, and its reaction time to developing hazards.
The video captures the Ioniq 5 robotaxi navigating the busy Las Vegas Strip as well as the city’s suburban areas.
“As a company that pursues freedom of mobility, we at Hyundai aim to exhibit the safety and trustworthiness of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi through this campaign,” said Sungwon Jee, senior vice president and global chief marketing officer at Hyundai Motor Company.
“We will continue our efforts to communicate our AI-based autonomous driving technology, which is set to provide positive changes to our customers’ everyday lives.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.