Volkswagen and Uber Launch Autonomous ID. Buzz Shuttle Trials in LA, Targeting Driverless Service by 2027

Volkswagen subsidiary MOIA America and Uber announced on April 9 local time that they have launched on-road testing of autonomous minivans in Los Angeles, using a self-driving version of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. This test marks a critical step toward their shared goal of launching an autonomous ride-hailing service in the U.S. by the end of 2026. Testing will begin over the coming weeks, initially deploying around 10 autonomous ID.Buzz vehicles—each capable of carrying four passengers—and equipped with human safety drivers. Volkswagen plans to eventually expand the fleet to more than 100 vehicles, aiming to launch fully driverless operations by 2027. Los Angeles is the first city to implement this partnership. Since unveiling their plan in 2023 to deploy commercial autonomous ride-hailing services across multiple U.S. cities within a decade, the two companies have established a joint operations center in the city to manage daily fleet operations. MOIA America previously operated under the name Volkswagen ADMT and rebranded to MOIA in early 2026 to strengthen its connection with MOIA’s European operations. The MOIA brand has offered ride-pooling services in Europe since 2018 and has tested autonomous driving technology in Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Oslo. To offer paid, driverless ride-hailing services in California, MOIA America must still obtain a Deployment Permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a Transportation Network Company (TNC) license from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Meanwhile, Uber continues to advance a diversified autonomous strategy, collaborating with 25 companies across delivery, drones, ride-hailing, and freight. Its key U.S. partners include Waymo, and it has signed an agreement with Rivian to purchase 10,000 R2 fully autonomous vehicles, scheduled to begin operations in San Francisco and Miami in 2028, backed by an initial $300 million investment from Uber. Additionally, Uber is working with several Chinese companies and UK-based startup Wayve to bring autonomous ride-hailing services to Europe and the Middle East.