If you live in Austin, Texas, be on the lookout for some special VW ID. Buzz vehicles on the roads. They're part of Volkswagen's first autonomous vehicle driving test program in the U.S. which starts this month. It's part of VW's plan to launch autonomous driving vehicles commercially in Austin by 2026.
VW launches its first autonomous driving test program in U.S
VW says a ten-vehicle test fleet will be outfitted with its autonomous driving (AD) technology platform which was developed by the global Volkswagen Group in partnership with technology company Mobileye. The plan is to grow the Austin test fleet over the next three years, plus expand testing to at least four other U.S. cities.
“We are thrilled to bring our exciting ID. Buzz vehicles to American roads”, said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “Expanding Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle program to the United States marks an important milestone for us. In the future, we will tap into rising demand for new mobility services, and with our iconic ID. Buzz, we will also offer a truly captivating product to support transportation services American consumers can rely upon and trust.”
Photo Credit: Volkswagen.
VW says the start of its U.S. test program marks a further push for Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle research and development. It has teams in Austin and Belmont, CA that are supporting the rollout of its autonomous vehicles under its subsidiary Volkswagen ADMT, LLC. VW also says it plans to also employ team members who worked with Argo AI. The test fleet's ID. Buzz vehicles are being provided by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand in Germany.
VW says it's not building a dedicated ride hailing or ride sharing service on its own at this time. Instead, it wants to offer fleets of specially designed ID. Buzz AD vehicles as 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."
Photo Credit: VW.
“Expanding our autonomous vehicle program to the North American Region is the next step in our global strategic roadmap, and the result of a long-term collaborative investment”, said Christian Senger, Member of the board of management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with responsibility for the development of autonomous driving. “Moving into this next phase will help us test, validate and refine technology, bring us closer to establishing commercially available transportation offerings and eventually grow the diverse mobility portfolio for the Volkswagen Group.”
In Austin, VW plans to collect data collected through driven miles across a diversity of driving scenarios. Each of the initial SAE L4 ID. Buzz vehicles is outfitted with test gear including cameras, radar, and lidar technology. VW says all vehicles will be staffed with supervising human drivers at all times throughout this initial test phase.
“We are excited and ready to roll out our autonomous pilot and test fleet in Austin”, said Katrin Lohmann, President, Volkswagen ADMT, LLC. “We selected Austin as the first U.S. hub, as the city has a track record for embracing innovation and offers a conducive climate for the testing of autonomous vehicles. We are committed to continuing an open and collaborative dialogue with the city and its diverse stakeholders.”
VW debuted the all-electric three-row ID. Buzz for the North American market in June. Sales are expected to begin in 2024.
Photo Credit: VW.