Volkswagen's MOIA & Uber To Test Driverless Minivans In Los Angeles; Launch In Late 2026

Volkswagen is taking its autonomous mobility ambitions to the streets of Los Angeles, as its subsidiary MOIA America begins real-world testing of self-driving electric microbuses in partnership with Uber, setting the stage for a commercial robotaxi launch by late 2026.
 

TL;DR

 

• Volkswagen’s MOIA America and Uber begin testing autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles in Los Angeles
• Initial fleet includes about 10 vehicles, expected to scale beyond 100
• Commercial robotaxi rides planned on Uber by late 2026
• Human safety operators onboard initially, full driverless rollout expected in 2027
• Regulatory approvals remain a key hurdle before public deployment

 

Volkswagen And Uber To Begin Autonomous ID. Buzz Testing In Los Angeles

Volkswagen’s push into autonomous mobility has entered a critical phase, with MOIA America and Uber launching on-road validation tests of self-driving ID. Buzz electric microbuses in Los Angeles.

The testing phase will begin with a small fleet of around 10 vehicles, each designed to seat four passengers in its production-ready form. Over time, this fleet is expected to expand to more than 100 vehicles, forming the backbone of a larger robotaxi network.

This move builds on a partnership first announced in April 2025, when both companies outlined plans to deploy autonomous ride-hailing services across multiple U.S. cities. Los Angeles has now become the first testing ground for that vision.

“This next step for MOIA America with Uber reflects strong momentum behind the strategy to bring autonomous mobility into real-world operation,” said Sascha Meyer, Chief Commercial Officer for Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility. “By combining MOIA’s turnkey autonomous mobility solution with Uber’s global network, MOIA America is creating a scalable path toward driverless ride-hailing services, starting in Los Angeles and expanding to additional markets in the years ahead.”
 

MOIA America And Uber Target Scaled Robotaxi Launch By 2026

The companies aim to begin offering rides via the Uber platform by late 2026, initially with human safety operators onboard to supervise vehicle performance.

A fully driverless rollout is expected to follow in 2027, marking a gradual transition from supervised autonomy to complete independence.

To support operations, MOIA America and Uber have already established a joint facility in Los Angeles, handling daily fleet management and logistics. This operational groundwork signals a long-term commitment to scaling autonomous ride-hailing services across the U.S.

“This milestone marks an important step forward as we prepare to launch autonomous rides with MOIA,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber. “By combining the autonomous-ready version of Volkswagen’s iconic ID. Buzz vehicle with MOIA’s advanced autonomous technology and Uber’s global platform, we’re setting the foundation to bring autonomous rides to more riders in Los Angeles and, over time, cities around the world.”

The broader goal is ambitious, with both companies planning to eventually deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles across multiple markets.

 

Volkswagen’s MOIA Rebrand Aligns US And European Autonomous Strategy

The testing initiative also follows a branding shift. Volkswagen ADMT was rebranded as MOIA America in early 2026, aligning its U.S. operations with MOIA’s established European presence.

MOIA has been active since 2018 and currently operates ride-pooling services while testing autonomous technologies in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Oslo. The rebrand reflects a unified global strategy to accelerate autonomous mobility deployment.

This integration allows Volkswagen to leverage learnings from European pilots while adapting to U.S. market conditions and regulatory frameworks.
   

Regulatory Roadblocks And Uber’s Broader AV Strategy

Despite the progress, regulatory approval remains a significant barrier. MOIA America must secure permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles for testing and deployment, along with ride-hailing authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission before launching commercial services.

Meanwhile, Uber continues to diversify its autonomous bets. The company has partnered with 25 firms across sectors including delivery, trucking, and drones, while maintaining high-profile collaborations such as its partnership with Waymo in the U.S.

It has also expanded globally, signing agreements with international players and investing $300 million in Rivian for a separate robotaxi initiative involving 10,000 autonomous vehicles planned for rollout in 2028.

Together, these moves position Uber as a central platform for autonomous mobility, while Volkswagen leverages its manufacturing and mobility expertise to bring purpose-built vehicles like the ID. Buzz into real-world use.

As testing begins in Los Angeles, the partnership offers a glimpse into how legacy automakers and tech-driven platforms are converging to shape the future of urban transportation.