Motional and Via Partner to Launch Paid Shared Robotaxi Service in 2021
A new joint effort between Motional and Via brings a fee-based, shared robotaxi service to a U.S. city next year. The partnership aims to create a scalable blueprint for integrating autonomous vehicles into existing public transit networks.
Motional, the autonomous driving joint venture between Hyundai and Aptiv, teams up with transit startup Via to launch a paid, shared robotaxi service in a U.S. city during the first half of 2021. The partnership connects Motional's self-driving vehicles with Via's routing and fleet management platform to develop a scalable blueprint for integrating driverless technology into mass transit. While the exact city remains undisclosed, the service deploys in a location where Motional already operates, narrowing the options down to Boston, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, or Santa Monica.
Despite the ambitious commercial goals, the upcoming service still includes human safety operators behind the wheel of every vehicle. However, the companies charge users a fee for the rides and open the platform to the general public without requiring non-disclosure agreements or advanced vetting. This approach allows Motional and Via to test the financial and operational viability of a true commercial robotaxi business rather than running a restricted demonstration.
The initiative tackles the complex logistics of on-demand, multi-passenger routing while navigating the unique challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Motional's CEO points to recent survey data showing that 70% of Americans say infection risks affect their travel choices, with one in five expressing increased interest in self-driving vehicles. As a result, the partners view this shared autonomous service as a timely solution for consumers seeking flexible, varied, and potentially safer transportation alternatives.