May 7 (Reuters) - Self-driving technology company

Motional said on Tuesday it would focus on developing its core

technology and delay commercial robotaxi deployments, while it

lays off staff as part of its restructuring process.

The development comes ahead of electric carmaker Tesla's

unveiling of its robotaxi, dubbed "Cybercab", on Aug. 8

and as legacy automakers limit spending on expensive autonomous

driving technology in the face of regulatory and safety hurdles.

Auto parts supplier Aptiv ( APTV ) said last week it would

sell its stake in Motional, its joint venture with Hyundai Motor ( HYMTF )

, while the Korean automaker will fund the startup

with additional $475 million.

"Large-scale driverless deployment will not happen

overnight. Driverless vehicles will enter the market when the

technology has evolved and - just as importantly - when the

business case for autonomous deployment is clear," CEO Karl

Iagnemma said in a blog post.

As part of Motional's restructuring process, the startup

said it would reduce workforce, focus resources on developing

and generalizing its driverless technology "while de-emphasizing

near-term commercial deployments and ancillary activities".

The company declined to provide the numbers of employees to

be laid off, but said roles across locations and functions were

impacted.

Motional partners with ride-hailing platforms Uber ( UBER )

and Lyft ( LYFT ) to provide driverless taxi services. The

startup said it has completed more than 100,000 autonomous rides

in Las Vegas and food deliveries in Los Angeles.