Volkswagen isn’t usually talked about in conversations about robotaxis, however the German auto large has been quietly working by itself self-driving know-how 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 might 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 at the least seven passengers, so VW is clearly making an attempt to maximise its ridehailing potential. The purpose is to finally 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 yr, utilizing autos with security drivers behind the wheel. The corporate says it’ll solely proceed with absolutely driverless operations after receiving the mandatory permits and clearance from regulatory companies.
VW will start testing the service later this yr, utilizing autos with security drivers behind the wheel.
VW has been testing its self-driving know-how within the US for quite a lot of years. It deployed autonomous Buzz vehicles in Austin, Texas, in 2023, after quite a lot of years testing them in Germany. The autos it examined in Austin use know-how 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 stated that it’ll put the vans in service as a ridesharing fleet underneath 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 through numerous leadership shakeups prior to now yr.
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 forced to shut down after the automaker, together with Ford, pulled its funding.
“Volkswagen is not only a automobile producer—we’re shaping the way forward for mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that imaginative and prescient,” stated Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, in a press release. “What actually units us aside is our potential to mix the perfect of each worlds—high-volume manufacturing experience with cutting-edge know-how and a deep understanding of city mobility wants.”
In the meantime, Uber has been on a streak of putting offers with AV operators because it seeks to turn into a one-stop store for robotaxis and autonomous supply autos of all manufacturers. Along with VW, Uber has partnerships with Waymo, Motional, Avride, and WeRide for self-driving automobiles, and Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for supply robots.