Volkswagen begins testing its self-driving microbuses in Los Angeles ahead of launch with Uber

Volkswagen's subsidiary, MOIA America, in partnership with Uber, has initiated the testing of self-driving microbuses in Los Angeles, as they gear up to launch a robotaxi service by late 2026. This announcement marks a significant development in their ambitious plan revealed a year ago to introduce autonomous versions of Volkswagen's electric ID. Buzz minivan across various U.S. cities over the next decade, with Los Angeles being the first city selected for this initiative. The testing phase is set to commence in the coming weeks, featuring approximately 10 autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles operating in the city. These driverless vehicles, designed to accommodate four passengers, will initially include a human safety operator onboard. Paul DeLong, the president of commercialization at MOIA America, emphasized that Los Angeles serves as an ideal market to launch their autonomous ride experiences, citing the city’s deep-rooted car culture and openness to new mobility technologies. Since their previous announcement, MOIA America and Uber have established a joint facility in Los Angeles to manage daily fleet operations. Although the current test fleet is limited, Volkswagen plans to expand it to over 100 autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles in the future. The company also indicated that fully driverless operations are anticipated to begin in 2027. Sascha Meyer, chief commercial officer for Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, highlighted that this progress demonstrates the strong momentum behind their strategy to integrate autonomous mobility into real-world applications. The MOIA America brand represents a fresh identity for Volkswagen's autonomous vehicle initiatives in the U.S., which were previously known as Volkswagen ADMT until early 2026. The MOIA brand, originally launched in 2018, is well-known in Europe for its ride-pooling service and autonomous vehicle technology testing in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Oslo. Before launching the commercial robotaxi service, MOIA America must secure various regulatory approvals in California, including permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and a ride-hailing permit from the California Public Utilities Commission. Meanwhile, Uber is diversifying its investments in autonomous vehicle technology, forming partnerships with 25 companies in sectors such as delivery, drones, and trucking. In the U.S., its most notable collaboration is with Waymo, while also pursuing agreements with companies in Europe, the Middle East, and the UK. Recently, Uber announced a deal with Rivian to procure 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis, with plans for rollout in San Francisco and Miami by 2028, alongside an initial investment of $300 million.