ID. Buzz first VW to get autonomous driving

The electric ID. Buzz will be the first Volkswagen to use driverless technology.

It will mainly be used for “robo-taxi” and “robo-van” services such as car-pooling, ride sharing and deliveries.

“With the confirmation of the (Volkswagen) group’s supervisory board for our autonomous driving R&D program, we are setting the course for the future of mobility,” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles chief executive Carsten Intra says.

“Autonomous, electric driving will make an important contribution to urban mobility and road safety.

The introduction of autonomous systems for traffic use in 2025 is being prepared at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV).

“This year, for the first time, we are conducting field trials in Germany, in which the self-driving system by Argo AI will be used in a version of the future ID. Buzz by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles,” autonomous driving head Christian Senger says.

“The aim is to develop a ride-hailing and pooling concept similar to what MOIA offers today. In the middle of this decade, our customers will then have the opportunity to be taken to their destination in selected cities with autonomous vehicles.”

As part of their cooperation, Ford Motor Company and VWVC have invested equally in Argo AI, a company specialising in software platforms for autonomous driving.

In addition to the initial investment of US$1 billion, Volkswagen also brought its subsidiary AID (Autonomous Intelligent Driving) into Argo AI.

With the budget for autonomous driving now confirmed by the supervisory board, VWCV is taking the next significant step towards the future of autonomous mobility by adding autonomous functions to the ID. Buzz.

VWCV will develop and build special purpose vehicles (SPV), such as robo-taxis and vans.

The VW Group is also investing billions in projects of the Car.Software Organisation that develops, in parallel and independently of Argo AI, assisted and automated driving functions up to level 4 for the private mobility sector of all VW Group brands.

The ID. Buzz has its world premiere next year.