Volkswagen Launches Their First Autonomous Driving Test

The future of autonomous driving is here – with Volkswagen throwing its hat in the ring. This month, VW launched their first autonomous driving test in Austin, Texas, with a batch of ten all-electric ID.Buzz SUVs. Developed in partnership with the tech company Mobileye, the vehicles are outfitted Volkswagen’s own autonomous driving planform to be tested and expanded upon over the next three years. By 2026, you could be looking at a commercial launch of ID.Buzz autonomous vehicles throughout the city of Austin.

The start of this program is just another step in the plan for Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle research and development. A subsidiary named Volkswagen ADMT, LLC has been created by the brand to support the rollout of this new program, as well as its expansion. Specially designed ID.Buzz AD vehicles are expected to provide 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.

The data and success of the plan launching in Austin will dictate the next move by Volkswagen. All vehicles will be staffed with supervising human drivers at all times throughout this initial test phase, before moving on to other major cities in the U.S.

“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.”

Would you give one of these vehicles a try if they came to Atlanta?