Despite billions of dollars already invested in developing autonomous driving technology and millions of miles covered by vehicles in dozens of self-driving vehicle trials around the world, many people remain sceptical and more than a little uncomfortable about the idea of self-driving cars.

While the technology already exists to create fully autonomous vehicles, with their promise of making transportation safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable, getting humans to accept the idea of sharing the road with driverless vehicles remains a work in progress.

Hyundai recently took a novel approach to the problem by having its battery electric Ioniq 5 robotaxi undertake a US-style driver licence test, under the watchful eye of an experienced professional examiner.

The initiative is captured in the video below.



DMV Certified Driving Examiner Kandice Jones who oversaw the process is described as having 25 years of experience working in the US licensing system and claims to have “failed thousands and thousands of students in the interest of public safety”, during her career.

“It’s going to be the same criteria – just like testing a human,” she says in the video.

“We’ll be monitoring the speed, lane changes. I’m going to grade manoeuvres, making a complete stop, left turns, maintaining the lane, and of course reaction time.”

Hyundai claims the Ioniq 5 robotaxi aced the test, with consistent speed control, lane changes and manoeuvring, its ability to accurately stop at a stop sign, perform left turns, and its reaction time to developing hazards.

The car maker said the exercise was designed to convey the safety and trustworthiness of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi’s autonomous technology, while underscoring the vehicle reliability and the inclusivity of its autonomous vehicle technology.

Highlighting the potential for autonomous vehicles to provide freedom of mobility, the film starts with an interview with a visually impaired American woman who faces mobility limitations due to her condition, which hinders her from obtaining a driver license.

The story highlights everyday mobility challenges for the physically impaired and the significance of autonomous driving technology in providing people the freedom and independence to move and explore without relying on others.

The Ioniq 5 robotaxi is the result of a collaboration between Hyundai and Aptiv, an Irish-American automotive technology company out of which was born autonomous driving technology developer Motional.

Motional has overseen years of development and testing of self-driving vehicles, including conducting autonomous rides for Uber passengers in Las Vegas since 2022.

The automotive industry categorises autonomous driving according to six SAE levels, from Level 0 ‘no driving automation’, to the fully driverless Level 5 where the vehicle can perform all driving functions by itself in all circumstances.

Robotaxis such as the Ioniq 5 are certified as Level 4 autonomous vehicles, meaning they can manage all traffic situations by themselves, albeit under certain circumstances such as on selected roads and in fine weather.

There are currently dozens of autonomous vehicle trials underway around the world led by brands such as Tesla, Mobileye, Waymo, and Cruise, who are all striving to be at the forefront of an industry that American multinational strategy and management specialist McKinsey & Company estimates will generate an estimated US$400b in revenue by 2035.

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