Hyundai Motor Group and U.S.-based self-driving company, Aptiv, announced that their joint venture brand identity as Motional. Motional came from two words: motion and emotional, which signifies mobility focused on people’s safety and confidence in autonomous vehicles.
Motional, established in March, costs $4 billion worth of investments comprising a 50 percent stake each from Hyundai and Aptiv. The global tech company Aptiv specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing system-level solutions for electric vehicles.
Currently, Motional pursues commercialization and development of SAE Level 4 self-driving technology. SAE Level 4 vehicles can operate and perform driving tasks without human intervention in specific driving situations. Additionally, Motional intends to run testing programs for a fully automated system within this year and supply its driverless systems and technology to robotaxi providers and fleet service operators by 2022.
Motional; A New Era of Transportation
Vice-Chairman Chung Euisun of Hyundai Motor Group stated that Motional epitomizes a new era of safety, accessibility, and environmental-friendly transportation. Motional would rise as one of the leading companies engaged in exploring innovative solutions for safe, economic, and eco-friendly mobility facilities. The Hyundai Motor Group consistently updates its expertise in advanced auto technologies and would strive to maintain this legacy with Motional.
Karl Iagnemma, Motional President and CEO, expressed that Aptiv’s expertise in advanced auto technology coupled with Hyundai’s leading manufacturing skills and extensive R&D would characterize the Motional DNA. This combination would play a significant role in influencing how people move in their lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly challenged the global community to reconsider options for enhanced transportation and mobility systems. Governments and individuals would aspire for more and better options in making life more comfortable and healthier. Thus, the company feels motivated in bringing autonomous driving technology securely and comfortably in everyday life.
Motional, based in Boston, works closely with very skilled teams in Pittsburgh, Santa Monica, Las Vegas, Seoul, and Singapore.
