Volkswagen launches its first autonomous driving test program in the US
In Texas, Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) said it is starting its first autonomous vehicle test program in Austin beginning in July 2023.
The company will kick off its program with a batch of 10 all-electric ID. Buzz vehicles outfitted with an autonomous driving (AD) technology platform developed by the Volkswagen Group in partnership with technology company Mobileye.
Over the next three years, VWGoA plans to grow its test fleet in Austin and also progressively expand testing operations to at least four more American cities. Building upon investments throughout this initial pilot, VWGoA anticipates a commercial launch of autonomous driving vehicles in Austin by 2026.
VWGoA will lead the strategy and business development in the U.S., and has established a subsidiary named Volkswagen ADMT to support the rollout of its autonomous driving vehicle program, with teams in Belmont, California and Austin, Texas.
For the test fleet, VWGoA plans to leverage autonomous driving (AD) technology and ID. Buzz vehicles provided by the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand in Germany.
