Skip to main content

Motional and Via to launch robotaxi service

Partners will collaborate on safety measures include PPE and sanitisation 
By Ben Spencer November 10, 2020 Read time: 1 min
The app will feature local public transit information (© Via)

Motional is teaming up with Via to launch a shared robotaxi service in the US in the first half of 2021. 

Via co-founder Daniel Ramot says it will “partner with Motional to make autonomous shared ride programmes an affordable and efficient transportation alternative to the private vehicle”.

Motional says it will use learnings from the partnership to inform how autonomous vehicles (AVs) can be integrated into mass transit networks and optimised for pooled rides. 

Motional is to connect its AVs with Via technology relating to booking, routing, passenger and vehicle assignment and fleet management. 

Additionally, Via’s rider app will feature local public transit information, encouraging connection to local transit hubs through the service. 

The partners will establish protective measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE), partitions, frequent sanitising and contact tracing to ensure the health and safety of vehicle occupants.

Motional CEO Karl Iagnemma says: “This partnership comes at an especially significant moment, as Covid reshapes our views on transportation and consumers demand more, flexible, and varied options.”

The coronavirus pandemic has also prompted the company to introduce protective measures for its AV mobility service in Las Vegas. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Oxbotica names Gavin Jackson CEO 
    December 8, 2021
    Oxbotica develops applications of its AV hardware with Ocado 
  • Building back better after Covid-19
    February 17, 2021
    The Canadian Urban Transit Association has looked carefully at what’s required to put public transportation on a firm footing post-Covid: here are a few of the group’s recommendations…
  • Self-driving taxis take to the road in Singapore
    August 26, 2016
    US self-driving car software developer nuTonomy has launched a public trial of a self-driving taxi service in Singapore’s one-north business district, a 2.5 square mile business district, where the company has been conducting daily autonomous vehicle (AV) testing since April. nuTonomy’s cars, a Renault Zoe or Mitsubishi i-MiEV specially configured for autonomous driving, will have an engineer from nuTonomy in the vehicle to observe system performance and assume control if needed to ensure passenger comfo
  • Ford to launch AVs on Lyft network
    July 28, 2021
    Argo AI is to use anonymised service and fleet data from Lyft in Miami and Austin