Driverless and oh so free!!

This announcement is truly exciting and groundbreaking — VW has launched its first-ever autonomous driving test program in the U.S. This roll out, which will further bolster VW’s autonomous driving vehicle research and development, will take place in Austin, Texas, beginning this month, with the test fleet featuring 10 all-electric ID. Buzz vehicles. These test vehicles, the number of which are expected to increase over the next three years, are outfitted with an autonomous driving (AD) technology platform that has been developed by the global Volkswagen Group in partnership with the technology company Mobileye. All of this leads to a commercial launch of autonomous driving vehicles in Austin by 2026.

Here’s more….

This self-driving test represents the pus toward more global autonomous driving vehicle research and development for the Volkswagen Group. Leading the strategy and business development in the U.S. is VWGoA, with a subsidiary established called Volkswagen ADMT LLC to support the rollout, with teams in Belmont, Calif., and Austin, Texas. VW also plans to employ team members who worked with Argo AI.

While this first rollout will feature the ID. Buzz vehicles, in the future, VWGoA plans to offer fleets of specially designed ID. Buzz AD vehicles. This will be a comprehensive service including fleet management and remote guidance solutions to other leading companies in the mobility and transportation space, and establish long-term partnerships.

How it works!

VWGoA will use its expanding test fleet of ID. Buzz AD vehicles as a means to collect data through driven miles across a diversity of driving scenarios. Each of the initial ID. Buzz vehicles will be outfitted with the autonomous driving technology platform, and will include cameras, radar and lidar technology. To ensure total safety through this initial rollout test phase, supervising human drivers will staff all of the vehicles.

The long-term goal in relation to this test program is to target leading players in the mobility and transportation sector as VWGoA seeks to establish enduring and lasting partnerships. It does not, however, plan to start its own ride hailing service currently.

This fleet of black and yellow ID. Buzzes will soon become an all-too common sight in Austin and will serve as an educational tool to learn both American driving styles as well as to collect data.

This program will poise VW to compete against companies including GM’s Cruise, Google’s Waymo and others in developing autonomous vehicles for the U.S. market, which have already got a head start of sorts in terms of testing. For several years, they have operated in cites like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Testimony!

“We’re energized to get our ID. Buzz vehicles out on American streets,” Pablo Di Si, president and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, said. “The expansion of Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous vehicle initiative to U.S. soil is a pivotal step forward.”

“Our objective is to meet the growing demand for innovative mobility services, and we believe our eye-catching ID. Buzz is perfectly suited to deliver reliable and trusted transportation solutions to U.S. consumers.”

Thrilled to bring ID. Buzz vehicles to America’s roads as well as expand VW Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle program in the United States, the automaker is poised for subsequent phases moving ahead, which includes continued growth in AD technology. While the test fleet involves VWGoA’s plans to leverage autonomous driving technology and ID. Buzz vehicles provided by the VW Commercial Vehicles brand in Germany, the future will include those specially designed. That design involves a comprehensive service including fleet management and remote guidance solutions to other leading companies in the mobility and transportation space.

Austin was selected as the first U.S. hub due to the fact that the city has a track record for embracing innovation and offers a conducive climate for the testing of autonomous vehicles. In turn, the ID. Buzz and its eye-catching look was selected as it is ideally suited to deliver reliable and trusted transportation solutions to U.S. consumers.

Breaking new ground and paving the way for the future, VW’s test program embracing autonomous driving represents a first and oh so free mobility! Stay tuned for what’s in store next!