On June 13, 2025, Hyundai Motor Group announced the appointment of Laura Major as president and CEO of Motional, its Boston-based autonomous driving joint venture with Aptiv.

Major has been serving as the interim CEO since September 2024 and was previously the chief technology officer of Motional since its founding in 2020.

Recognized for her expertise in robotics and AI, Major led the development of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi, one of the first driverless vehicles to gain US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certification.

In her new role, Major will focus on advancing Motional's artificial intelligence capabilities in preparation for the commercial launch of their autonomous driving service scheduled for 2026.

She expressed a commitment to integrating 'Embodied AI' into transportation, aiming to enhance societal benefits and ensure the safe implementation of autonomous vehicles.

Major is also a co-author of the book 'What to Expect When You're Expecting Robots,' which explores the future of human-robot collaboration.

Her contributions include creating machine learning-driven software for autonomous driving, showcasing her extensive experience in the field.

Before joining Motional, Major worked at Draper Laboratory and Aria Insights, focusing on autonomous solutions for national security and other applications.

She began her career at Draper Laboratory as a cognitive engineer, designing decision-making support devices for U.S. astronauts and soldiers.

In 2014, Major was recognized as an emerging leader by the Society of Women Engineers, highlighting her impact in the field.

Motional is currently developing a self-driving software stack that emphasizes machine learning capabilities, preparing for its commercial autonomous driving service.

Major's leadership at Motional is expected to significantly influence the advancement of AI technology in the autonomous driving sector.