ROBOTAXI: Lyft and Motional announce 2023 launch of FULLY AUTONOMOUS vehicle in Las Vegas

Image credit: Lyft

Ride-hailing firm Lyft and Motional have announced the launch of Motional’s new all-electric IONIQ 5-based robotaxi, an autonomous vehicle (AV) designed for fully driverless ride-hail operation, on the Lyft network in Las Vegas.

The launch is the next milestone in the lead-up to Motional and Lyft’s fully driverless service, planning to begin in 2023 and scaling to multiple U.S. cities. This marks the first time members of the public will experience Motional’s all-electric IONIQ 5 AV, which is the first all-electric AV to debut on the Lyft network.

Motional and Lyft have been conducting autonomous rides in Las Vegas since 2018, and now Lyft riders will be among the first to experience Motional’s new AV, which has a custom-designed user experience for a fully autonomous journey.

This means riders are able to easily control their ride without assistance from a driver. The enhanced experience includes unlocking the doors through the Lyft app and starting the ride or contacting customer support from the new in-car Lyft AV app.

Motional and Lyft plan to take the next step in the mass adoption of autonomous ride-hails. Their fully driverless service plans to launch in Las Vegas in 2023, before expanding to other major U.S. cities.

Karl Iagnemma, Motional’s President and CEO, said: “Motional and Lyft have a clear path to widespread commercialization of Level 4 autonomous vehicles.

“We’ve led the industry in commercial operations for years, and today’s launch signals we’re on track to deliver a fully driverless service next year. Riders in Las Vegas can now experience Motional’s IONIQ 5 AV that will make that service a reality. Through our strategic partnership with Hyundai, the IONIQ 5 AV is fully customized for driverless ride-hail operation, while maintaining the vehicle’s award-winningcomfort and design.”

Logan Green, Lyft’s CEO and co-founder, said: "Launching Motional’s all-electric IONIQ 5 on Lyft’s network in Las Vegas represents tremendous progress in our vision to make an electric, autonomous, and shared future a reality for people everywhere.

"Building an experience that Lyft riders love is core to advancing this technology, and today's launch provides riders access to Motional’s autonomous technology in a way that will feel seamless, familiar, and personalized, all on a network they already trust. We are designing an autonomous experience where the only expectation for riders is to relax and enjoy the ride.”