Volkswagen isn’t sometimes talked about in conversations about robotaxis, however the German auto big has been quietly working by itself self-driving expertise for over a decade. And now the corporate is able to deploy its first autonomous autos on Uber’s ridehailing platform, beginning with a business robotaxi service in Los Angeles in 2026.
The autos will likely be VW’s ID Buzz electrical minivans outfitted with self-driving sensors and software program developed by subsidiary Moia. The long-wheel base model of the Buzz can seat a minimum of seven passengers, so VW is clearly making an attempt to maximise its ridehailing potential. The objective is to in the end have “1000’s” of autos working in a number of US cities over the following decade, the automaker says.
VW will start testing the service later this 12 months, utilizing autos with security drivers behind the wheel. The firm says it would solely proceed with absolutely driverless operations after receiving the required permits and clearance from regulatory businesses.
VW will start testing the service later this 12 months, utilizing autos with security drivers behind the wheel.
VW has been testing its self-driving expertise within the US for numerous years. It deployed autonomous Buzz autos in Austin, Texas, in 2023, after numerous years testing them in Germany. The autos it examined in Austin use expertise developed by Mobileye, the driver-assist sensor and software program firm owned by Intel, in addition to sensors like cameras, radar, and lidar.
VW has mentioned that it’ll put the vans in service as a ridesharing fleet below its subsidiary Moia, which has been working a fleet of electrical autos as a part of its “ride-pooling” service in Hamburg since 2017. VW’s autonomous driving software program is developed by one other subsidiary, Cariad, which has gone by quite a few management shakeups prior to now 12 months.
VW has dabbled in autonomous driving for years — however not with out setbacks. VW has prior to now partnered with self-driving startups like Aurora and Argo, the latter of which was pressured to close down after the automaker, together with Ford, pulled its funding.
“Volkswagen isn’t just a automobile producer—we’re shaping the way forward for mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that imaginative and prescient,” mentioned Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, in an announcement. “What actually units us aside is our potential to mix one of the best of each worlds—high-volume manufacturing experience with cutting-edge expertise and a deep understanding of city mobility wants.”
Meanwhile, Uber has been on a streak of hanging offers with AV operators because it seeks to turn out to be a one-stop store for robotaxis and autonomous supply autos of all manufacturers. In addition to VW, Uber has partnerships with Waymo, Motional, Avride, and WeRide for self-driving vehicles, and Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for supply robots.
