28th June 2026 – (Los Angeles) Volkswagen has launched real‑world testing of its fully autonomous ID. Buzz electric minivans on the streets of Los Angeles, marking a significant step in its push into the U.S. robotaxi market.
More than 100 vehicles are expected to be deployed during the trial phase, each operating with a safety driver behind the wheel as the company gathers on‑road validation data. The programme forms part of a partnership with ride‑hailing platform Uber, under which the ID. Buzz robotaxis are scheduled to begin carrying passengers via the Uber app in late 2026.
The fleet has been equipped with self‑driving systems developed by MOIA America, the Volkswagen Group subsidiary responsible for autonomous mobility technology. The division, formerly known as Volkswagen ADMT, rebranded earlier this year as it expanded its testing operations in the United States.
According to MOIA, the ID. Buzz AD model satisfies the technical criteria for SAE Level 4 automated driving, enabling the vehicle to operate without human intervention under defined conditions. The system incorporates remote supervision capabilities and is designed to manage complex or unexpected scenarios.
Each vehicle is fitted with an array of 27 sensors, including 13 cameras, nine lidar units and five radar systems. Data from these components is processed by a Mobileye‑supplied computing platform, which interprets surrounding traffic conditions and determines driving responses, including interactions with emergency vehicles.
Inside, the adapted ID. Buzz features four passenger seats and a luggage compartment installed in place of the front passenger seat. Although a driver’s seat remains during the testing phase, it is expected to be redundant once the service transitions to fully autonomous commercial operations. Volkswagen ultimately plans to roll out thousands of the electric robotaxis across multiple US cities as part of its long‑term collaboration with Uber, with Los Angeles serving as the first large‑scale testing ground.