Hyundai Launching Southern California’s First Robotaxi Pilot Program

Residents of Irvine, Calif. won’t just be able to grab a ride, they’ll be able to catch a lift, for free, on an autonomous BotRide starting early next month. That’s the name of southern California’s first ride share service using self-driving vehicles.

The service is being launched by Hyundai Motor Company, which partnered with Pony.ai, an autonomous vehicle sensor hardware and software company, and Via, which worked on a special mobile app for the pilot program. The fleet of 10 robotaxis will be based on the Hyundai KONA Electric SUV.

When the pilot program kicks off November 4, riders can hail a BotRide with the BotRide app from their smartphones. Algorithms developed by Via make it possible for multiple riders to share a vehicle. The app directs riders to nearby pickup and drop off sites. 

On board will be two operators—one sitting by the steering wheel and brake and accelerator pedals, watching the road, and another in the passenger seat to monitor the electronic systems. “They’ll work as a team,” said Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson in a phone interview. The operators will be able to take over if necessary, he said. 

“The pilot introduces BotRide to several hundred Irvine residents, including college students. The goal is to study consumer behavior in an autonomous ride-sharing environment,” said Christopher Chang, head of business development, strategy and technology division, Hyundai Motor Company, in a release. “We are going to learn about ecosystems, where the vehicles travel and optimize the customer experience.” 

Hyundai says the service area will encompass “several residential, commercial and institutional points of interest,” and feature such technologies as automated onboard passenger verification.

The early November launch is a significant milestone in bringing robotaxi service to an area of the United States known for its notorious traffic jams as it pulls Hyundai’s efforts ahead of a key competitor. Alphabet Inc’s autonomous vehicle unit, Waymo, began 3D mapping the streets of some sections of Los Angeles with three minivans equipped with autonomous vehicle sensors and computers but driven by technicians, in advance of eventually offering a paid robotaxi service in that often gridlocked city. Waymo currently operates a paid robotaxi service with safety drivers on board in metropolitan Phoenix, Ariz. but has plans to expand to several other locations around the U.S. 

For Hyundai, the BotRide pilot program is a major move as the South Korean automaker attempts to catch up with competition already deep into development and testing of self-driving vehicles.

“The BotRide pilot represents an important step in the deployment and eventual commercialization of a growing new mobility business,” said Daniel Han, manager, Advanced Product Strategy, Hyundai Motor America in a release. “

The pilot program will last about three months, after which it will be evaluated using both technical data and input from University of California, Irvine students who hopped aboard a BotRide.