Uber, Volkswagen pair up to launch robotaxi service in US with self-driving, electric microbuses

On Thursday, Volkswagen Uber and Uber unveiled an ambitious plan to launch a commercial robotics service – using an independent VW electric ID. Tanna vehicles – in multiple American cities over the next decade.

Companies expect to launch a commercial service in Los Angeles, the first city in the list, by late 2026. VW and Uber have not provided details of possible future markets.

Initially, the service will not be without a driver. A VW spokesman told Techcrunch that the fleet of independent vehicles will have human safety operators behind the steering wheel before they went without a driver in 2027.

This gives Volkswagen ADMT, a subsidiary of autonomous vehicles in Volkswagen, USA, up to two years to move in the organizational scene in California, gain the necessary permits to test its independent cars and operate a commercial service in the end.

Volkswagen AdMT will start the test in Los Angeles later this year as soon as you receive the initial test permit from the California Ministry of Cars. The agency is organizing an independent test of cars and publishing it in the state, and the California Public Utilities Committee allows the commercial services component of Robotaxi services.

Despite the upcoming big obstacles, the partnership is a noticeable step for ADMT Volkswagen. The company was publicly launched in July 2023 with an independent vehicle test program in Austin and a 10 -vehicle vehicle of electric identifiers equipped with MobileYe partner technology.

The Volkswagen Group group, along with Ford, raised the aspirations of its independent cars to start operating the ARGO, until the car manufacturers withdrew financial support and received their remains. Then Volkswagen turned into Mobileye for the source of autonomous vehicle technology, and that relationship has recently been deeper. ADMT, the US -based Volkswagen Volkswagen effort, was launched about nine months after I hope.

Volkswagen said in 2023 that she was not interested in building a custom -made service. However, it appears that there is a commercial company in the sale of Vans Buzz and fleet management programs for the self -definition of other companies.

Details of her partnership with Uber indicate that the plan is sound.

“Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer – we are the future of transportation, and our cooperation with Uber accelerates that vision,” Christian Singer, CEO of Volkswagen Independent Company, said in a statement. “What really distinguishes us is our ability to combine the best experience in manufacturing in the world-high size with advanced technology and a profound understanding of the needs of urban movement.”

This is also the latest Uber’s AV partnership. The riding giant has spent the past few years closing the deals with more than 14 autonomous vehicles through horse riding, delivery and displaced. Uber recently launched a Robotaxi service with Waymo in Austin, and she is about to do the same in Atlanta.