Volkswagen Soon to Start Testing Autonomous ID. Buzz in Munich

Sep, 2021 - By SMI

The early prototype of Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz Autonomous Driving was unveiled and soon it will be tested on the streets of Munich.

Volkswagen, a brand known for manufacturing commercial vehicles, and Argo AI, an independent driving technology company, revealed their first version of ID Buzz AD (Autonomous Driving) on September 05, 2021. Volkswagen introduced a first floating concept of futuristic electric minibus few years ago. Now it has provided the first sight of its self-driving ID. Buzz. The model is inspired by Type 2 Kombi vans. The concept of autonomous ride sharing will be pursued by the ID. Buzz.  Early test models of the van will soon be tested in Munich.

After revealing its first ID. Buzz minivan concept in 2017, Volkswagen is now collaborating with Argo AI, an autonomous technology start up, to fit in the norms of self-driving vehicles. Volkswagen plans to be the backbone of an autonomous ride sharing service by having the production versions of ID.Buzz to solve the crowding issues in the city centers. The company presented one of the first five self-driving ID.Buzz prototypes and revealed the plans of testing it in the area. The Argo AI’s autonomous technology used in the Buzz AD depends on cameras, radar, and large liDAR sensor installed on the roof. The computer software creates a 360-degree picture of the surroundings. It controls the engine, braking, and steering according to the surroundings.

Volkswagen claims that the present prototype detects objects from more than 400m away. A patented technology is used in the model that can detect single light photons to expose object having low reflectivity. This technology is called Geiger-mode.  The prototype will be put out for testing in Munich in next few months and the automated vehicles are planned to be launched in 2025, starting in Hamburg, Germany.