Volkswagen and Uber Partner on Autonomous Mobility
Volkswagen is making significant strides in the autonomous vehicle space through a new partnership with Uber. The collaboration aims to deploy Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD vans – fully autonomous, all-electric versions of the iconic Microbus – on American streets as robotaxis. The rollout begins in Los Angeles, with testing scheduled to commence later this year and commercial service planned for 2026.
During the initial phases of testing and launch, human operators will be present on board to fine-tune the technology and ensure rider safety while awaiting regulatory approvals. Volkswagen ADMT, the automaker’s autonomous mobility division, is leading the effort alongside MOIA, another Volkswagen brand focused on autonomous driving technology.
The companies plan to deploy thousands of these ID. Buzz AD vans across multiple U.S. cities over the next decade, with Los Angeles being the first. “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.
Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, emphasized the transformative nature of mobility and the partnership’s potential. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its significance in advancing autonomous mobility.
While the path to fully autonomous ride-hailing presents challenges, Volkswagen’s iconic Microbus is being reimagined for the driverless era. Details such as pricing and future deployment cities remain under wraps for now.
