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**Waymo, a leader in autonomous driving technology, announced an exciting new partnership with Hyundai to bring self-driving capabilities to the Korean automaker’s electric vehicle lineup. Specifically, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 models will be equipped with Waymo's advanced self-driving tech and are scheduled to join Waymo's ride-hailing service by late 2025.**

**José Muñoz, Hyundai Motor Company's president and global COO, described the agreement as merely the "first step" in a broader partnership between the two companies. Muñoz hinted at future collaborations that could potentially see Waymo's self-driving technology integrated into Hyundai's passenger vehicles.**

**However, this partnership raises questions about the future trajectory of Waymo amidst shifting dynamics in the global automotive industry. With China's emergence as a dominant force in auto manufacturing, Western nations have responded by erecting trade barriers to protect their markets from an influx of inexpensive Chinese electric and autonomous vehicles. Recent policy changes in the US and the European Union reflect these protective measures.**

**Despite these growing trade tensions, Waymo maintains a collaborative relationship with Chinese-owned automaker Zeekr, established in late 2021. The agreement with Zeekr aims to produce cost-effective, autonomous minivans for Waymo's ride-hailing operations. Although the Zeekr vehicle debuted in San Francisco in June, it remains in the testing phase.**

**Waymo clarified that the inclusion of Hyundai Ioniq 5s in its fleet would not replace its other vehicle platforms. According to Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli, the company is diligently validating the latest version of its technology on the Zeekr vehicles. This collaboration involves Chinese automotive giant Geely, which owns Zeekr and has a significant stake in companies like Volvo and Polestar.**

**In light of proposed US regulations targeting Chinese-made auto software and hardware, concerns about national security have been front and center. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo had previously expressed the risk of having a large number of Chinese-connected vehicles on American roads. Waymo defended its position by ensuring that all autonomous technology and data processing occur within the US, disconnected from any foreign control, particularly from China.**

**Despite the uncertainty around these regulatory changes, Waymo is committed to expanding its autonomous ride-hailing services, including a planned launch in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, next year. To date, Waymo claims to have completed over 2 million paid trips and logged more than 20 million autonomous miles.**

**Meanwhile, Hyundai’s investment in self-driving technology continues through its partnership with Motional, an autonomous solutions firm formed with Aptiv. However, financial and organizational challenges have troubled Motional recently, including significant staff layoffs and the departure of its CEO.**

**As Waymo and Hyundai unveil these ambitious plans, the autonomous vehicle landscape will undoubtedly face continual evolution. The integration of Waymo’s technology into Hyundai’s electric vehicles could signal a new era of innovation and cross-industry collaboration.**