Latest news with #OliverBlume
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD robotaxi ready for sale from 2026
The production version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the German automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is an SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. Its autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors – 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars – to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch in 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably." Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike the regular ID. Buzz electric people mover, which is available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seat trim and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: The production version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the German automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is an SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. Its autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors – 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars – to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch in 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably." Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike the regular ID. Buzz electric people mover, which is available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seat trim and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: The production version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the German automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is an SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. Its autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors – 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars – to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch in 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably." Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike the regular ID. Buzz electric people mover, which is available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seat trim and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from: The production version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the German automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is an SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. Its autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors – 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars – to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch in 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably." Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike the regular ID. Buzz electric people mover, which is available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seat trim and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz Content originally sourced from:
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD robotaxi ready for sale from 2026
The production-version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is a SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. It autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors — 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars — to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch for 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: 'With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike regular ID. Buzz models, which are available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seats and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. Supplied Credit: CarExpert There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage. MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID. Buzz
7NEWS
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD robotaxi ready for sale from 2026
The production-version of the self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD taxi has been unveiled, and the automaker is hoping to make it available for use in various markets across Europe and US from 2026. Developed by the Volkswagen Group's MOIA ride-sharing division, the ID. Buzz AD is a SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle, meaning it drives itself by default, but there are controls for a human to use if the need arises. It autonomous driving technology is from Mobileye, which uses an array of 27 sensors — 13 cameras, nine LIDAR units, and five radars — to generate a 360-degree view. This is married to MOIA's own Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that manages the robotaxi fleet, deals with passenger assistance and safety issues, and integrates into existing booking apps. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Volkswagen is looking to sell MOIA's service platform and fleets of the ID. Buzz AD to municipalities, public transport agencies, and private operators looking to get into the ride-sharing and robotaxi scene. This approach contrasts quite starkly with Google's Waymo division, which is developing its own self-driving technology, and running its own robotaxi services in a growing number of cities in the US. Volkswagen and MOIA have been developing the ID. Buzz AD since 2021, and the company originally targeted a launch for 2025. The company has been testing its robotaxi services in two German cities, with the public able to book rides in Hanover and Hamburg. In a prepared statement, Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: 'With our fully autonomous complete solution, we are creating a mobility offering that is unique in this form: cities, municipalities, and fleet operators can provide autonomous mobility for all simply and reliably.' Aside from the proliferation of cameras and sensors, the body work of the ID. Buzz is untouched. The production vehicle's sensor pods, especially the roof-mounted unit, are much more slickly integrated into the body compared to the prototype models. Unlike regular ID. Buzz models, which are available in either a two-row five-seat or three-row seven-seat configurations, the AD has a unique interior layout with two narrow seats in the second row, and a large passageway leading to two larger seats in the third row. Each row of seats has SOS emergency stop and support call buttons, a USB-C charging port, and start/stop button. Vinyl seats and a hard floor should make the ID. Buzz robotaxi easy to clean. There's also a driver's seat up front. If self-driving without human oversight is allowed by local regulations, the driver's seat can be pushed and tilted forward, and the steering wheel covered. Regardless, the space normally occupied by the front passenger's seat is replaced by a bounded cargo tray suitable for various types of luggage.
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Porsche Macan set to get petrol, hybrid replacements too
Porsche's new Macan is offered only with electric power, but the brand has confirmed it's working on a more direct replacement for the outgoing petrol-powered mid-sized SUV – though it likely won't be called Macan. The new model will be offered with both combustion and hybrid powertrains, and will be 'touching the Macan segment', according to Porsche CEO, Dr Oliver Blume. 'We have an ambitious engineering timing, aiming for around 36 months for developing such a car seems to be realistic,' said Dr Blume at a conference announcing 2024 financial results. He further added it could arrive around the same time as the production Volkswagen ID.1, indicating a 2027 launch, and that its lifespan will extend into the 2030s. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Macan Electric Credit: CarExpert While the new petrol/hybrid SUV appears a fait accompli, Porsche's press release is more circumspect. The brand says it's 'evaluating an independent model line in the SUV segment with combustion and hybrid powertrains… [that] could be launched towards the end of the decade'. 'Once the combustion-engine models of the same name have been phased out, the Macan will be sold exclusively as an all-electric model, worldwide,' the company added, effectively confirming any new SUV will wear a different nameplate. Dr Blume conceded carmakers were much more bullish on the take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) when the new-generation Macan first entered development. Petrol-powered Macan Credit: CarExpert 'We have taken the decision already in 2016 to focus only on electric one for the future, and in these times the ramp-up for electromobility was more optimistic,' said Dr Blume. 'We think there is room for another SUV in this segment, we will make a big differentiation from the electric one. 'We still have the combustion engine out of Europe and the other regions of the world, so this will be a very special one but more focused then for the end of the decade, and the '30s, for having there an offer not only for Europe but also for the rest of the world when we will stop the combustion-engine Macan also for the rest of the world regions.' Dr Blume says the first concepts and designs are 'very promising'. Macan Electric Credit: CarExpert 'We see the timing correctly adapted to the timing of combustion-engine Macan run out of Europe, and to the ramp up of the electric Macan in all regions of the world, and we think that this car will fit perfect to the segment when we will be able to make a big differentiation in between both cars and to being able to bring a real future vision to Porsche,' he said. Dr Blume's announcement indicates Porsche will continue to have two vehicles in this segment. The outgoing petrol-powered Macan first entered production in 2014, with the electric Macan – on a completely different platform – entering production a decade later. These two vehicles are sold alongside each other in most markets, though Porsche Australia has previously confirmed orders for the petrol-powered model closed here last year. Only dealer stock remains. Possible Porsche SUV test mule Credit: CarExpert Globally, Porsche hadn't set an end date for petrol-powered Macan production as it has continued to be popular. However, it was axed from European showrooms in April 2024 as it no longer complied with strict cybersecurity laws, with the cost of conforming to the regulations potentially resulting in huge investments in the 10-year-old model. Both the old and new Macan are built in Leipzig, Germany. It appears Porsche has entered the early testing stage with the new-generation combustion-powered SUV, with an alleged test mule – using a new Audi Q5 body – spotted in Europe. Audi SQ5 Sportback Credit: CarExpert That could mean the new Porsche SUV will use the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) underpinning new-generation Audi models like the Q5 and A5. Porsche and Audi have shared platforms before. The first-generation Macan was related to the contemporary Audi Q5, while the new Macan Electric shares its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with the Audi Q6 e-tron. Should the Macan adopt the underpinnings of the Q5, it could be offered with a choice of turbocharged engines, ranging from 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, a 3.0-litre V6 petrol and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel – all with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Plug-in hybrids should also come into the fold later on. Porsche deputy chairman and CFO Lutz Meschke told Autocar earlier this year the company was 'exploring the possibility of equipping some of the originally planned electric models with hybrid drives or internal combustion engines in the future'. Porsche Taycan Credit: CarExpert 'Conceptual decisions are being made, but what is clear is that we are committed to the combustion engine for much longer,' he added. While Porsche says it had a sales record in four out of its five global regions in 2024, it warned the ramp-up of electric vehicles (EVs) has been slower than expected. It's no longer planning for EVs to account for more than 80 per cent of its sales by 2030, and says instead its ramp-up will 'adapt to the market developments' with a 'much longer transition phase'. MORE: Everything Porsche Macan
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VW to sell ID. Buzz robotaxis next year, taking on Tesla and Waymo
Volkswagen-backed autonomous tech company MOIA is offering up a robotaxi of its own, which both mobility operators and regular people can buy next year. Using VW's (VWAGY) electric ID. Buzz as a donor vehicle, MOIA says it will create a 'turnkey solution' for those looking for an autonomous production vehicle, the company said from an event in Hamburg, Germany. MOIA's offering uses LiDAR, cameras, and radar combined with Mobileye's self-driving system and the company's own Autonomous Driving Mobility as a Service (AD MaaS) platform. MOIA said its AD MaaS software uses AI to manage fleets in real time and integrates into existing booking apps. In addition, the system meets key regulatory requirements for SAE Level 4 automated vehicles, MOIA said, using additional features like remote supervision and safe handling of emergency interventions on the streets. MOIA's all-in-one offering — car, self-driving software, and robotaxi platform — comes as Tesla (TSLA) prepares to begin its robotaxi test in Austin in a few days. 'Beginning in 2026, we will bring sustainable, autonomous mobility to large-scale deployment in Europe and the US, another milestone on our path to becoming a global technology driver in the automotive industry,' said Oliver Blume, Volkswagen Group CEO, in a statement. VW claims the 'MOIA Turnkey Solution' can be implemented by large commercial fleet operators, as well as individuals who want a fully autonomous solution for private use or business purposes. The ID. Buzz AD will be deployed on Uber's platform starting next year in Los Angeles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has long seen this as the holy grail of private vehicle ownership, the ability to deploy a vehicle for robotaxi use when the owner doesn't need it. VW believes the ID. Buzz is a strong choice for robotaxi use. It features an extended wheelbase and raised roof for added space, sliding electric doors for ease of entry, four separate seats, and storage space both up front and in the rear. 'The ID. Buzz AD is purpose-built for autonomous mobility services. It's a cabin designed entirely around passenger needs – and the realities of driverless ridepooling or ridehailing,' Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility said in a statement to Yahoo Finance. VW and MOIA did not say how much the vehicle would cost when it goes on sale. It is estimated that similar vehicles, like Waymo's (GOOG) bespoke Jaguar I-PACE, cost upwards of $100,000, though as one of the largest automakers in the world, VW may be able to save money since it owns the ID. Buzz platform and has advantages of scale. Waymo, the leader in the robotaxi space with 250,000 trips a week, announced it is expanding service in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and just revealed it is bringing service to New York City (but with a safety driver). And it's countering the cost issue by partnering with manufacturers like Toyota and China's Zeekr. The ride-hailing market in the US is already a big one and poised to explode. Goldman estimates the US market is worth approximately $58 billion currently, but could be worth more than $330 billion by 2030, with robotaxi-type services pushing the industry forward and reducing costs by — among other factors — not requiring a human driver. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
