Hyundai IONIQ 5 to spawn robotaxi

Hyundai Motor Group has released pictures and details of its fully autonomous robotaxi developed with US firm Motional that will begin transporting passengers from 2023.

Based on the current Hyundai IONIQ 5, the pure-electric SUV gets more than 30 sensors that provide a 360-degree HD view of the world around it and help provide the basis for Level 4 autonomous driving.

Hyundai and Motional have also forged a deal with ride-hailing giant Lyft, with plans underway to have the robotaxi in service within two years.

As the photographs show, the battery-powered SUV is equipped with roof-mounted cameras, radars and lidars, plus additional sensors behind the front wheel-arches.

It's not clear why the driverless Hyundai is fitted with a blue police strobe on top, but it's thought similar lights could warn other road users when it is operating without a driver on board.

Without the need for a traditional cab driver, the cabin is said to have been tailored for passengers.

Despite being 100 per cent capable of driving fully autonomously, the robotaxi still comes with a traditional steering wheel, brake pedal and throttle for safety reasons.

This is to help the remote vehicle cope with unforeseen obstacles such as roadworks or flooding. However, instead of the passenger taking over, the IONIQ 5 tech can allow a remote operator to connect to the vehicle to redirect it away from harm.

Part-owned by Hyundai following a $4 billion ($A5.5bn) joint-venture with mobility tech specialist Aptiv, US-based Motional says the robotaxi service will initially be launched with Lyft in the US market.

When it arrives, Hyundai promises the new robotaxi will "set a new standard for driverless ride-hailing".