Self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz to launch in 2025

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released an image of the pioneering fully-autonomous version of the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Buzz set to launch globally in 2025.

Created in partnership with AI and autonomous driving pioneer, Argo, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz people-mover has been created specifically for ride-hailing and car-pooling services.

From the single image released of the vehicle, the modifications to the pure-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz suggest the ID.3-based van will feature a number of LIDAR sensors on the roof.

These are expected to be joined by further laser and radar modules in the front bumper and sides.

Mounting the LIDARs high in the roof is thought to provide the ID. Buzz with 180-degree 'vision'.

According to reports, the development of the driverless ID. Buzz is running at "full speed", with trials already underway on German roads.

It's not known yet whether the urban-centric Volkswagen ID. Buzz will rely on embedded sensors in specific geo-fenced areas.

However, such an arrangement could help Volkswagen overcome some of the significant legal obstacles involved with rolling out unmanned driverless vehicles in highly populated cities.

"This year, for the first time, we are conducting field trials in Germany, in which the self-driving system by Argo AI will be used in a version of the future ID. Buzz by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles," said Volkswagen’s head of digital car and services, Christian Senger.

“In the middle of this decade, our customers will then have the opportunity to be taken to their destination in selected cities with autonomous vehicles.”

More details of the driverless ID. Buzz are expected along with the launch of the pure-electric Volkswagen microbus in 2022.