Volkswagen and Uber Launch Autonomous Taxi Service in US
Volkswagen has partnered with ride-hailing company Uber to deploy its autonomous ID. Buzz vans in multiple US markets, starting with Los Angeles in 2026. The German automaker announced the partnership on Thursday, marking a significant step in the development of autonomous mobility in the United States.
The service will utilize Volkswagen’s all-electric ID. Buzz, which was introduced in the US market last November. Testing of the autonomous version is set to begin in Los Angeles later this year, with human safety drivers present to fine-tune the technology. Uber plans to add multiple units of the vehicle to its fleet for an official launch in 2026, with further rollout to additional US markets throughout the coming decade.
“Volkswagen believes that mobility is transformational,” said Volkswagen Group of America President Kjell Gruner in a statement. “Our partnership with Uber is the next step for us to realize this vision and unleash the potential of autonomous mobility.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi echoed this sentiment, stating, “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.”
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the autonomous vehicle industry. On the same day, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a new Automated Vehicle Framework aimed at enabling the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles. The framework’s stated goals include prioritizing safety, removing regulatory barriers, and accelerating the modernization of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Currently, only a few companies offer self-driving taxi services in the United States. Alphabet’s Waymo operates its Waymo One service in several cities, including Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Amazon’s Zoox has also been testing its robotaxis in multiple locations across the country.
The partnership between Volkswagen and Uber represents a significant development in the expansion of autonomous mobility services in the US market. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the deployment of self-driving vehicles is expected to become more widespread in the coming years.
