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Your Next Vegas Lyft Driver May End up Being an Autonomous Vehicle

So long as you stick to The Strip

By Rob Rich Rob Rich News Reporter College for Creative Studies Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on August 16, 2022 01:11PM EDT Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Keep an eye out for autonomous cars the next time you're in Las Vegas, thanks to a partnership between Lyft and autonomous vehicle manufacturer Motional. Perhaps it's not surprising that Las Vegas would be a testing ground for autonomous vehicle (AV) rideshares. Especially seeing as Nevada is one of the U.S. states that has taken steps to legalize AVs on public roads. And that's exactly what's happened, with Lyft incorporating some of Motional's IONIQ 5 all-electric AVs into its Vegas network. Motional The IONIQ 5, developed with the help of Motional's parent company, Hyundai, has been designed as a "ride-hail vehicle" first and foremost. It's mid-sized to provide more room for passengers and offers several charging outlets in case anyone needs to juice up their smartphone or other devices. And because the IONIQ 5 is made to work with Lyft's network, it offers some features you may not find when jumping in a standard ride. According to Motional, the Lyft app can unlock the AV's doors once it's in place, and the car won't start moving until you give the okay from your phone. Though the app isn't a requirement—the IONIQ 5 also has built-in touch screens that can be used to start the trip, call customer support, or get more travel information. Motional Don't expect to be driven around The Strip without human supervision just yet, though. While Motional is confident in its AV intelligence, a human will still be in the driver's seat. Though their presence is more of a precaution than a requirement for getting to your destination—kind of like a driving instructor poised to take over if necessary. Motional's IONIQ 5 robotaxis are now available via Lyft's rideshare network but are currently limited to locations along the Las Vegas Strip. They may be confined to Vegas for the time being, but both companies expect to begin going driverless at the start of next year and expand the service to other US cities throughout 2023. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Apple Car: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors What Is Lyft and How Do You Use It? Lyft vs. Uber: What's the Difference? Where Is 5G Available in the US? (Updated for 2022) 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) How to Add Multiple Stops on Lyft Are Self-Driving Cars Legal in Your State? The 8 Best Driverless Car Manufacturers of 2022 Verizon 5G: When & Where You Can Get It 9 Things to Consider Before Buying a Dash Cam CES 2023: Dates, News, Announcements, Rumors, and Everything Else to Know How to Install the Ring Doorbell and Ring Doorbell 2 What Is Mobility as a Service? How to Use Samsung Smart Alert and Direct Call How to Delete a Lyft Account How to Fix a Stuck Car Window Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies