Hyundai has revealed plans to offer a free ride-hailing service, comprised of autonomous electric cars. The company will offer its free ride-hailing service in Irvine California beginning on November 4th. However, for safety reasons, an emergency driver and an engineer will be in the car. The cars will drive through different areas in Irvine that are geofenced in, spanning both residential and commercial areas.
In order to launch the service, Hyundai collaborated with Pony.ai, an autonomous technologies startup. Pony.ai will provide hardware and software solutions that will be added to the Hyundai Kona SUVs, in order to convert the cars into autonomous models. Specifically, Pony.ai will provide its laser sensors and proprietary software, which will both help the vehicles navigate complicated environments.
Image Credit: Hyundai
What's Driving This Trend
- Free Ride-hailing with Autonomous Vehicles
- Hyundai plans to offer a free ride-hailing service featuring autonomous electric cars, creating opportunities for companies in autonomous technologies and ride-hailing industries for passengers.
- Collaboration with Autonomous Technologies Startups
- Collaboration with Autonomous Technologies Startups, such as Hyundai's partnership with Pony.AI, helps auto companies develop autonomous solutions and expand into other transportation sectors.
- Geofenced Ride Zones
- Geofenced ride zones, like the ones planned for Hyundai's free ride-hailing service, help create a safe and controllable environment for autonomous vehicles and provide opportunities for companies in geofencing technologies.
Who This Affects Most
- Autonomous Technologies
- Autonomous technologies companies such as Pony.ai will provide hardware and software solutions in collaboration with established auto manufacturers such as Hyundai.
- Ride-hailing
- Ride-hailing companies can leverage autonomous vehicle technology, like Hyundai's free ride-hailing service, to create a more cost-effective and efficient transportation network.
- Geofencing Technologies
- Geofencing technologies can provide an effective solution to maintain control of the designated zones designated for autonomous vehicles, like the ones used by Hyundai's free ride-hailing service.
