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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen and Uber to test, deploy robotaxis
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Volkswagen and Uber inked a partnership to offer robotaxi service on the Uber app via thousands of the automaker's ID. Buzz vans, the companies announced April 24. Testing with human operators is set to begin later this year. The companies anticipate launching the service in Los Angeles in 2026 before expanding to other U.S. locations over the next decade. Volkswagen's all-electric ID. Buzz, a retro-styled minivan with a design based on the classic Volkswagen bus, can seat up to seven passengers. It was first available for sale in the U.S. in 2024. Volkswagen's ride pool and autonomous mobility arm, MOIA, will be responsible for the van's self-driving technology and the software to deploy the vehicles on the Uber platform. The subsidiary has been developing and testing autonomous ride pool service in Hamburg, Germany, since 2021. Automakers have increasingly tapped strategic partnerships such as the one between Volkswagen and Uber to expedite deployment of autonomous technology. For example, robotaxi company Waymo has partnered with Jaguar to expand its self-driving ride hail service in a handful of U.S. cities and it recently announced a partnership with Hyundai to install fully autonomous driving technology in the Ioniq 5. And in August 2024, General Motors announced a partnership with Uber through GM's robotaxi subsidiary Cruise—before the automaker stopped funding Cruise in December 2024, citing an 'increasingly competitive robotaxi market' and a new focus on autonomous driving for personal vehicles. 'Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,' Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, said in a statement. He added that Volkswagen combines 'high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.' With thousands of ID. Buzz vans on U.S. city streets, the partnership could also draw more customers to the ride hailing service as well as buyers for VW's EV microbus. 'Through our work with Uber, we'll introduce the ID. Buzz, the reimagined version of the iconic Microbus in all-electric form, to a growing number of riders in the years to come,' said Kjell Gruner, Volkswagen Group of America president and CEO. Recommended Reading NHTSA seeks to fast-track AV deployment Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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First Post
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- First Post
Americans can soon have driverless SUVs, Texas testing goes next level
Critics of self-driving technology say it remains vulnerable to cyberthreats, a lack of oversight and can lead to job reductions read more A revolution is underway in the USA's commercial driverless operations. For a change, Aurora Innovation, an autonomous trucking company, is planning to run its completely driverless semi-truck along a 200-mile stretch of I-45 between Dallas and Houston. So far, these companies have been testing their driverless technologies with backup safety drivers but this time, Aurora is going a step further. If the test remains successful, it can reshape the global trucking industry forever, and especially in the US where there is a shortage of skilled drivers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pittsburgh-based company has not shared much details about the project but it is expected to start rolling autonomous and driverless trucks slowly. It hopes to expand its fleet later, based on feedback and experiences. Volkswagen's big plans for autonomous vehicles German auto giant Volkswagen has also been working on self-driving technology for over a decade. Now, the company is set to launch its first driverless cars on Uber's ride service. This will begin with a robot taxi service for the public in Los Angeles in 2026. These vehicles will be electric minivans called VW ID Buzz. They will have special sensors and computer programs made by a part of VW called Moia that allow them to drive themselves. The longer version of the Buzz has space for at least seven people, so VW wants to get the most out of its ride service. The company plans to eventually have 'thousands' of these self-driving vehicles working in several cities across the US within the next ten years. VW will start trying out this service later in 2025. During this testing phase, there will still be human safety drivers in the cars. 'Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,' said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, in a statement. 'What really sets us apart is our ability to combine the best of both worlds — high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.' Concerns Critics of self-driving technology say it remains vulnerable to cyberthreats, a lack of oversight and can lead to job reductions. 'It's absurd that AVs, which are unproven and unmanned, are given more latitude on American highways than professional drivers with years of experience like me are given,' Lewie Pugh, the group's executive vice president, said in an interview. Critics say while autonomous driving companies are self-regulated, drivers are subjected to several federal rules which make them more reliable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, advocates say the driverless technology will help the industry, which remains strained by high driver turnover rates, supply chain inefficiencies and rising costs. 'The federal government is saying we have to move 50% more freight by 2050, but there's a shortage of drivers. How do I solve this puzzle with more freight to move and less drivers to do it?' said Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen and Uber partner to deploy autonomous ID. Buzz
Volkswagen Group of America Inc.'s autonomous mobility subsidiary Volkswagen ADMT, LLC, and Uber Technologies, Inc. have announced a strategic partnership to deploy a fleet of thousands of all-electric, fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles within multiple US markets over the next decade, starting in Los Angeles. Testing is expected to begin later this year, with the first commercial launch expected in Los Angeles in 2026. During the initial testing and launch phases, ID. Buzz AD vehicles will have human operators onboard to help refine the technology and ensure safety. Each step will proceed only after any necessary regulatory approvals have been received. MOIA, a Volkswagen AG autonomous mobility brand, will provide its integrated solution for autonomous driving which includes the ID. Buzz AD and software-based system for the deployment on the Uber platform. 'Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,' said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility. 'What really sets us apart is our ability to combine the best of both worlds—high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.' 'Volkswagen believes that mobility is transformational. Our partnership with Uber is the next step for us to realize this vision and unleash the potential of autonomous mobility,' said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. 'Through our work with Uber, we'll introduce the ID. Buzz, the reimagined version of the iconic Microbus in all-electric form, to a growing number of riders in the years to come.' 'This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility, and highlights both Volkswagen's and Uber's shared dedication to building the future of transportation,' said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. 'We can't wait to launch in Los Angeles late next year." Uber has struck deals with multiple partners to deploy self-driving technology across its ride share, delivery and freight businesses. Volkswagen has been testing its ID Buzz vans with human operators in Austin, Texas. "Volkswagen and Uber partner to deploy autonomous ID. Buzz" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Volkswagen and Uber Launch Long-Term Strategic Partnership to Deploy Autonomous ID. Buzz Vehicles on the Uber Platform
BELMONT, Calif. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Volkswagen Group of America Inc.'s autonomous mobility subsidiary Volkswagen ADMT, LLC, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) today announced a strategic partnership to deploy a fleet of thousands of all-electric, fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles within multiple U.S. markets over the next decade, starting in Los Angeles. Testing is expected to begin later this year, with the first commercial launch expected in Los Angeles in 2026. During the initial testing and launch phases, ID. Buzz AD vehicles will have human operators onboard to help refine the technology and ensure safety. Each step will proceed only after any necessary regulatory approvals have been received. MOIA, a Volkswagen AG autonomous mobility brand, will provide its integrated solution for autonomous driving which includes the ID. Buzz AD and software-based system for the deployment on the Uber platform. 'Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,' said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility. 'What really sets us apart is our ability to combine the best of both worlds—high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.' 'Volkswagen believes that mobility is transformational. Our partnership with Uber is the next step for us to realize this vision and unleash the potential of autonomous mobility,' said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. 'Through our work with Uber, we'll introduce the ID. Buzz, the reimagined version of the iconic Microbus in all-electric form, to a growing number of riders in the years to come.' 'This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility, and highlights both Volkswagen's and Uber's shared dedication to building the future of transportation,' said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. 'We can't wait to launch in Los Angeles late next year." About Uber Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 52 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities. About MOIA MOIA, a Volkswagen AG autonomous mobility brand, unlocks the potential of autonomous driving with a scalable solution for driverless mobility. The company empowers mobility platforms and operators worldwide to seamlessly deploy autonomous mobility services. MOIA's integrated solution brings together an OEM-grade, autonomous-ready vehicle, a comprehensive self-driving system with driver-as-a-service functionality, and a proprietary Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystem tailored for autonomous operations. This includes intelligent fleet control, operational software, and end-to-end service management. About Volkswagen Group of America Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. VWGoA houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Volkswagen and is the sole importer and distributer of Bugatti and Rimac vehicles in the U.S. VWGoA's headquarters are in Reston, Virginia. The company has approximately 10,000 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through a network of approximately 1,000 independent dealers. About Volkswagen ADMT, LLC Volkswagen ADMT, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., tests autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, using Volkswagen's all-new, all-electric ID. Buzz, vehicles which are outfitted with an autonomous driving (AD) technology platform developed by the global Volkswagen Group in partnership with the technology company Mobileye. During the testing phase, highly trained human operators accompany each vehicle, monitoring the vehicle's driving and ready to take over if necessary. 'VW,' 'VolkswagenV,' the Volkswagen logo, 'ID. Buzz,' 'ADMT' and 'MOIA' are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VW's Self-Driving ID. Buzz Electric Van Faces an Arctic Stress Test
VW evaluates the ID. Buzz autonomous prototype in Norway in winter conditions, to test the resilience of its sensors in snow and low temperatures. The automaker has been working toward deploying a fleet of autonomous electric vans in Europe but has yet to launch a fleet of driverless vehicles. SAE Level 4 tech has seen relatively limited deployment around the world, as developers struggle with technical issues and the business case behind robotaxis. Autonomous vehicle sensors have been notoriously averse to various weather and light conditions, including rain and snow, as well as working at night. This is one of the reasons we haven't seen a rush of autonomous fleet developers to launch robotaxi services in Minneapolis, for instance. But sensor technology is slowly evolving to cope with these difficulties, as automakers continue to tweak their technology ahead of operations debuts. Volkswagen is now testing its SAE Level 4 ID. Buzz vans a day's drive from the Arctic circle in Oslo, Norway, as part of its planned MOIA ride-pooling service. The focus of these tests is to see how the various sensors will work in ice, snow, and low temperatures, in addition to seeing how the vehicles will be able to read road signs and markings partially covered by snow. This is something that current robotaxi operators have rarely faced in US cities where SAE Level 4 cars have been launched thus far, as they've largely seen fleet deployments in California and moderate-weather southwest states. "Winter road conditions with temperatures down to –20 degrees Celsius are the ultimate stress test for autonomous vehicles," said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen ADMT. "For the widespread deployment of the technology, it is essential that they operate reliably not only in ideal environments but also in winter weather." Until now, MOIA has been primarily testing its tech in Germany, specifically in Munich and Hamburg, as well as in Austin, Texas. The VW Group unit still plans to launch autonomous ride-pooling services in Hamburg in 2025, at least for some audiences. This year MOIA plans to begin testing of its autonomous vans with something it calls external closed user groups, thereby letting selected individuals try the SAE Level 4 tech, mirroring the gradual steps that robotaxi fleets like Waymo have taken. "Users of mobility services expect a comfortable, reliable, and safe mode of transport—regardless of the season and weather conditions. This remains especially true in the autonomous age," adds Sascha Meyer, CEO of MOIA. Europe has not seen as much progress in the launches of robotaxi fleets as the US and China, despite automakers and suppliers having been developing the technology just as long. The main reason for this are current regulations, as well as the high costs of managing and monitoring autonomous vehicle fleets compared to how much money they can generate from passengers. As in other parts of the world, there is no shortage of human drivers working for ride-hailing apps with whom robotaxis will have to compete cost-wise. By contrast, SAE Level 3 eyes-off systems are much more widespread compared to North America, where they are held back largely by individual state regulations. VW itself has teamed up with fleet management company Holo in Oslo to test its MOIA vans with safety drivers on board, and doesn't appear to be put off by the operating costs seen by robotaxi developers as it preps for a limited launch in Hamburg—an issue still rarely mentioned in public discussions of scaling up robotaxi fleets. In the longer term, VW will need to cope with more than winter weather if its deployment of autonomous MOIA vans is a success, given how much pushback US robotaxi companies have seen stateside. Will robotaxis become a common sight in Europe by 2030, or will the debut of this tech remains relatively confined for the first five years? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
