Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) is set to launch its inaugural autonomous vehicle test program in Austin starting in July 2023.
Image courtesy: Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen announced on Thursday its plans to commence trials of self-driving electric vehicles in Austin, Texas later this month.
The German automaker intends to deploy approximately 10 autonomous ID Buzz electric vans, developed in partnership with Mobileye, by the end of 2023. The first two of these vans have already arrived in the United States and will begin testing prior to the end of July.
The self-driving ID Buzz vans are equipped with advanced lidar, radar, and camera systems. They will be restricted to specific geofenced areas of the city, which have been meticulously mapped out by Volkswagen.
During the testing phase, all self-driving vehicles will be operated with human safety drivers onboard.
“We have chosen Austin as our first U.S. hub due to its history of embracing innovation and its favorable environment for autonomous vehicle testing,” stated Katrin Lohmann, the executive in charge of Volkswagen’s autonomous driving initiatives in the United States.
Lohmann added that Volkswagen plans to expand its fleet in Austin and establish testing operations in at least four additional American cities within the next three years.
Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) starting its first autonomous vehicle test program in Austin beginning in July 2023.
Image courtesy: Volkswagen AG
This move represents the latest in a series of initiatives undertaken by the automotive giant to overhaul its self-driving strategy in recent months. These endeavors include a deeper partnership with Mobileye and new investments in MOIA, its ride-sharing service based in Europe.
While Volkswagen has been working towards a robotaxi service in Europe, it does not currently have plans to introduce a ride-sharing platform of its own in the United States. Instead, the company intends to offer autonomous ID Buzz vans and fleet management capabilities to other businesses providing ride-sharing or delivery services.
Alongside Ford Motor, Volkswagen was an investor in the now-defunct Pittsburgh-based self-driving startup Argo AI. Argo was previously regarded as a frontrunner in the race to develop fully autonomous vehicles, but Ford and Volkswagen decided to wind down the company in October 2022 due to soaring costs and strategic differences.
As of March, Ford has launched a new subsidiary called Latitude AI, aimed at expanding its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. This unit includes around 550 employees who were previously part of Argo AI.
Furthermore, Volkswagen has also recruited some former employees of Argo AI to strengthen its own self-driving efforts in the United States.
Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) starting its first autonomous vehicle test program in Austin beginning in July 2023.
Image courtesy: Volkswagen AG
