TL;DRMoia launched a pilot autonomous ride-pooling service in Hamburg with VW ID Buzz vans and plans US launches with Uber and Beep this year.
Volkswagen’s autonomous mobility subsidiary Moia has begun offering rides in self-driving ID Buzz vans to preregistered residents in Hamburg, marking the first time a major European automaker has launched an autonomous passenger service on its home continent. Up to five vehicles are operating at initial launch, with the fleet expected to expand to 10, and each car carries a trained safety monitor who can intervene when necessary. Rides are free during the pilot and can be booked through the Moia app.
The service functions as a shared autonomous shuttle rather than a private robotaxi. Passengers travelling in the same direction may share a vehicle, and pickups and drop-offs take place at designated virtual stops rather than door-to-door. The pilot covers about four square miles within Hamburg and will gradually expand to around 14 square miles, a Moia spokesperson told Business Insider.
Moia said several thousand people have already joined the waiting list since registration opened. The company plans to eventually integrate the service with Hamburg’s hvv switch public transit app, positioning autonomous vehicles as a complement to existing public transport rather than a replacement. “Our first passengers are now experiencing autonomous mobility in Hamburg’s urban traffic for the first time,” Moia CEO Sascha Meyer said in a statement.
