VW Begins Test Autonomous Combi Van In Munich

Volkswagen is exploring the electric VW Kombi with autopilot technology. (photo: Volkswagen)

JAKARTA - Having first introduced the futuristic electric minibus concept complete with augmented reality HUD and detachable dashboard several years ago, Volkswagen has now offered its first look at the self-driving ID.Buzz.

Modeled on the classic Type 2 Kombi van, the ID.Buzz is being developed as an autonomous ride-sharing vehicle, and early prototypes of the van will soon begin testing in Munich.

Volkswagen revealed the futuristic ID.Buzz minivan concept back in 2017, and it recently emerged that the automaker would be partnering with autonomous tech startup Argo AI to adapt it to autopilot capabilities. Through its mobility subsidiary, Moia, VW plans to one day have a production version of ID.Buzz that acts as the backbone of its autonomous vehicle-sharing service to reduce congestion in the city center.

Such a future is still far away, but the company has attended this year's IAA Mobility auto show in Munich to share a taste of what it's working on. The company took the opportunity to present one of the first five fully electric self-driving ID.Buzz prototypes, and detailed its plans around testing in the area.

The Buzz AD prototype, using Argo AI autonomous driving technology, relies on cameras, radar and a large, roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. Built-in computer software builds a 360-degree image of the surrounding environment as Buzz AD moves through the streets, predicting the movements of pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles and controlling the engine, braking and steering accordingly.

According to VW, the current prototype can detect objects from a distance of more than 400 m and, using a patented technology called Geiger mode, detects single photons of light to reveal objects with low reflectivity, such as darker vehicles. It is the company's first vehicle to be equipped with SAE Level 4 autonomy.

The prototype is currently undergoing testing at a closed facility at Munich's international airport, but VW and Argo AI plan to start testing on city streets in greater Munich soon. Ultimately, the goal is to use self-driving ID.Buzzes for Moia's autonomous ride-sharing service in Hamburg by 2025.

"Cities around the world want to make their traffic more efficient and more climate friendly," said Moia CEO Robert Henrich. "Autonomous vehicle collection improves urban mobility, improves road safety and makes cities more attractive. Hamburg will be the first city to offer autonomous vehicle collection."