Volkswagen Group has unveiled a production-ready version of its autonomous ID. Buzz AD minivan, positioning itself as a key competitor in the emerging driverless ride-hailing market ahead of Tesla’s planned robotaxi rollout.
Starting in 2026, companies, municipalities, and fleet operators will be able to order pre-configured ID. Buzz robotaxis, complete with full sensor suites, certification, and Volkswagen’s autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (AD MaaS) platform, according to MOIA, the VW Group’s ridepooling subsidiary.
The electric van meets SAE Level 4 autonomy standards and includes 27 onboard sensors — 13 cameras, nine Lidars, and five radars — managed by a Mobileye-sourced control unit. The system is designed to function without a safety driver and includes capabilities for remote supervision and handling of emergency scenarios.
In contrast, Tesla’s Cybercab — a two-seat autonomous EV previewed earlier this year — is not expected to reach market before the end of 2027. Tesla’s current vehicles operate at SAE Level 2, requiring constant driver oversight.
“The ID. Buzz AD platform is designed as a turnkey solution, enabling operators to launch autonomous fleets without investing in costly R&D,” Volkswagen said. The integrated software also supports real-time fleet management and ride-hailing app integration.
The vehicle includes four passenger seats and a luggage rack in place of the front passenger seat. Though a driver seat remains, the van is expected to operate without a person behind the wheel during public service.
In the United States, Volkswagen Group of America and Uber are partnering to deploy thousands of ID. Buzz robotaxis, with the first fleet to launch in Los Angeles in 2026. In Europe, MOIA is already operating shared mobility services in Hamburg and Hanover.
Volkswagen is seeking certification for autonomous operation in both the EU and U.S. markets, with deployments anticipated in multiple regions pending regulatory approvals.