Volkswagen-backed autonomous tech firm MOIA is entering the robotaxi race, announcing plans to roll out its electric self-driving ID. Buzz vehicles across the U.S. and Europe starting next year. The robotaxi, built on VW’s (VWAGY) ID. Buzz electric platform, will be available to both fleet and private operators.
MOIA unveiled the initiative at an event in Hamburg, Germany, positioning its vehicle as a “turnkey solution” for mobility companies looking to purchase a ready-for-market autonomous vehicle.
The robotaxi will be equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors—including LiDAR, cameras, and radar—powered by Mobileye’s autonomous driving system and MOIA’s proprietary Autonomous Driving Mobility as a Service (AD MaaS) platform. According to the company, the AD MaaS software uses AI to manage fleets in real time and can integrate seamlessly with existing booking apps.
MOIA said the vehicle meets key safety and regulatory standards for SAE Level 4 automation, and includes features such as remote supervision and emergency response handling.
“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.
The ID. Buzz AD is outfitted with 27 sensors in total, including 13 cameras, nine LiDARs, and five radar units. Volkswagen says the “MOIA Turnkey Solution” will be tailored for commercial fleet operators, and confirmed the ID. Buzz AD will begin service on Uber’s platform in Los Angeles starting next year.
VW sees the ID. Buzz as ideal for robotaxi operations. Designed with an extended wheelbase and raised roof for extra space, the vehicle features sliding electric doors for easy access, four separate seats, and ample luggage storage in both the front and rear compartments.
“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,” said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, in a statement to Yahoo Finance.
Volkswagen and MOIA have not disclosed pricing for the vehicle, though comparable autonomous vehicles—such as Waymo’s (GOOG) custom Jaguar I-PACE—reportedly cost upwards of $100,000. However, as the owner of the ID. Buzz platform and a global auto giant, VW may benefit from cost efficiencies that competitors can’t match.
Waymo, which leads the robotaxi sector with over 250,000 autonomous rides per week, recently announced service expansions in Los Angeles and San Francisco and plans to enter New York City (initially with a safety driver). Waymo is also addressing high production costs through partnerships with automakers like Toyota and China’s Zeekr.
As competition intensifies, the robotaxi market is expected to grow rapidly. Goldman Sachs estimates the U.S. ride-hailing market—currently valued at around $58 billion—could exceed $330 billion by 2030, driven largely by autonomous services that eliminate the need for human drivers.
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