Volkswagen’s mobility subsidiary Moia has been conducting winter trials of the fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD in Oslo since early 2024, expanding its autonomous vehicle testing beyond Austin, Munich, and Hamburg.
The trials are focused on assessing the vehicle’s performance in snow, ice, and low temperatures, as well as its ability to navigate challenging visibility conditions.
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The tests aim to evaluate how the vehicle interacts with traffic infrastructure, including snow-covered road markings and signs, while also ensuring reliable detection of pedestrians and other road users.
A safety driver is present during the trials to intervene if necessary. “The insights gained are crucial for further developing autonomous driving technology and represent an important step toward market readiness,” Moia stated.
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Volkswagen’s autonomous driving division sees the trials as essential to scaling its self-driving technology, particularly as it progresses toward Level 4 automation. At this level, the vehicle can operate without driver intervention, allowing passengers to sleep or engage in other activities without the need to monitor the road.
“Winter road conditions with temperatures down to –20 degrees Celsius are the ultimate stress test for autonomous vehicles,” said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen ADMT. “The tests in Oslo provide us with valuable data for further developing our software and hardware and are an important step for scaling the technology.”
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Moia CEO Sascha Meyer emphasized the importance of reliability across all weather conditions. “Users of mobility services expect a comfortable, reliable, and safe mode of transport – regardless of the season and weather conditions. This remains especially true in the autonomous age,” Meyer said. “The ability to drive safely under extreme weather conditions is a fundamental prerequisite for the long-term economic success of our offering in Europe and North America.”
The data collected in Oslo will contribute to the planned deployment of the ID. Buzz AD in Hamburg, where autonomous ride-pooling operations are set to begin in mid-2025.