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Volkswagen Expands Into Autonomous Taxi Service with Uber Partnership
While Volkswagen may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing autonomous taxis, the German automotive leader has been developing self-driving technology for over a decade. The company is now set to unveil its first commercial robotaxi service in Los Angeles in 2026, utilizing its own self-driving vehicles on Uber’s ride-hailing platform.
The initial fleet will feature Volkswagen’s ID Buzz electric minivans, outfitted with advanced self-driving sensors and software created by its subsidiary, Moia. This long-wheelbase version can accommodate at least seven passengers, indicating Volkswagen’s strategic move to optimize the ride-hailing experience. The firm aims to deploy “thousands” of these vehicles across various U.S. cities within the next ten years.
Testing for this new service is scheduled to commence later this year and will involve vehicles operated by safety drivers initially. The rollout of fully autonomous operations will depend on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and safety clearances.
Volkswagen’s self-driving technology has been under development and testing in the United States for several years. Notably, in 2023, the company began operating autonomous Buzz vans in Austin, Texas, after several years of testing their technology in Germany. These vehicles incorporate advanced systems developed by Mobileye, a company specializing in driver-assist technologies, along with an array of sensors such as cameras, radar, and lidar.
The ID Buzz minivans will operate under Moia, which has been successfully offering ride-pooling services with electric vehicles in Hamburg since 2017. Another Volkswagen subsidiary, Cariad, is responsible for developing the autonomous driving software, although it has faced significant management turmoil recently.
Volkswagen has made several attempts to break into the autonomous vehicle space, experiencing both progress and challenges along the way. The company has previously collaborated with various self-driving startups, including Aurora and Argo AI, the latter of which ceased operations after VW and Ford withdrew their investments.
“Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,” remarked 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.”
On the other hand, Uber is actively solidifying its position in the autonomous vehicle market by forming partnerships with various AV operators. Apart from Volkswagen, the company is collaborating with Waymo, Motional, Avride, and WeRide for self-driving technologies, in addition to working with Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for autonomous delivery solutions.
Source
www.theverge.com