Hyundai Motor aims to launch world’s first commercial robotaxi
Byung-uk Do
Aug 19, 2020 (Gmt+09:00)
Hyundai Motor Co. is aiming to launch the world’s first commercial robotaxi, or Level 4 autonomous driving with no humans involved, as global automakers are muscling into the increasingly competitive landscape.
As part of such efforts, the South Korean automaker will send key personnel in its self-driving unit to join Motional, its newly christened joint venture (JV) with auto parts supplier Aptiv.
Hyundai Motor has appointed Jang Woong-jun, director of Hyundai’s autonomous driving technology center, as Motional's chief strategy officer (CSO), according to auto industry sources. Jang, who has long been involved in developing technology for self-driving cars at Hyundai, studied at Stanford University. Back in 2017, he was promoted to the post of a director, making him the youngest executive of the group at the age of 37.
“Hyundai has decided to send Jang and other top engineers specialized in self-driving cars to Motional. That shows how much significance it attaches to Motional for the takeoff of its robotaxi business,” said an auto industry official.