After a significant restructuring and temporary cessation of commercial operations two years ago, Motional, backed by Hyundai, has resumed its presence in Las Vegas with a commitment to achieve full autonomy by the end of 2026.
In collaboration with Uber, a commercial robotaxi service has been reinitiated in Las Vegas, deploying all-electric Motional IONIQ 5 vehicles along the Strip starting March 13, 2026. This marks a notable development for Motional, which had faced operational halts, workforce reductions of about 40%, and funding challenges following Aptiv’s withdrawal. Initially, these deployments include a safety operator, with plans for full autonomy by 2026 as targeted in 2024.
The service allows Uber riders selecting UberX, Electric, Comfort, or Comfort Electric to be matched with a Motional IONIQ 5 at no extra cost. Users receive app notifications with an option to choose the autonomous vehicle. The robotaxi can be unlocked and the ride managed through the app, with accessible human assistance if necessary. The initial service operates in designated zones along Las Vegas Boulevard and other key locations, with plans for expansion not yet detailed.
The IONIQ 5 robotaxi, developed by Motional and Hyundai, is among the first to be certified under US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, supporting SAE Level 4 autonomy within a defined domain. The system can autonomously handle driving tasks, though it’s incapable of operating in all conditions or places.
Motional’s comeback follows two challenging years, starting as a $4-billion joint initiative between Hyundai and Aptiv in 2020. It previously facilitated pilot rides in Las Vegas and deliveries in LA with safety operators, amassing over 130,000 autonomous trips. In early 2024, Aptiv ceased funding due to high operational costs and significant forecasted losses, leading Hyundai to inject nearly $1 billion and assume majority ownership. Despite the restructuring involving halting operations and cutting 40% of staff, the company refocused on autonomous technology enhancement with a neural network-driven approach. This strategic shift, alongside a $550-million Series B round in 2025, bolstered the relaunch.
Additionally, Uber has expanded its autonomous strategy. Concurrent with this launch, Uber formed alliances with Zoox to deploy its robotaxis on Uber in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and with Wayve and Nissan for a Tokyo robotaxi pilot in late 2026. Uber, collaborating with over 25 autonomous partners, has committed over $100 million to AV charging infrastructure in 2026. Its autonomous solutions division, introduced in February 2026, aims to expedite AV technology commercialization through support services, marking Las Vegas as a pivotal market test for Motional’s technology.