AUTO

Volkswagen and Uber’s Autonomous Driving Collaboration: The ID. Buzz AD Hits U.S. Streets

April 24, 2025

Volkswagen and Uber plan to deploy thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles in U.S. cities over the next decade, starting in Los Angeles in 2026.
MOIA, a Volkswagen AG brand, will provide the autonomous driving technology for the ID. Buzz AD vehicles.
During initial testing phases, human operators will be onboard to ensure safety and assist in refining the technology.

Have you ever thought about getting into a ride and realizing there’s no one in the driver’s seat? Sounds like a sci-fi movie, right? But this is real. Volkswagen and Uber have announced a long-term plan to bring thousands of all-electric, fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles to U.S. cities over the next several years.

Testing is expected to begin later this year, with the first commercial launch anticipated in Los Angeles in 2026. During these initial phases, human operators will be onboard to monitor the vehicles and ensure safety.

MOIA, a Volkswagen AG brand specializing in autonomous mobility, will provide its integrated solution for autonomous driving, which includes the ID. Buzz AD and a software-based system for deployment on the Uber platform.

Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, highlighted the company’s vision, “Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision.” He continued by stating, “What really sets us apart is our ability to combine the best of both worlds—high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.”

This move places Volkswagen and Uber in direct competition with other companies in the autonomous driving sector. Waymo, for instance, currently offers over 200,000 paid rides per week in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Tesla is also making movies, with plans to launch a robotaxi service in Austin by mid-2025, starting with 10-20 Model Y vehicles.