Volkswagen joins the robotaxi competition by launching a shared shuttle service in Hamburg.

      Moia has rolled out a pilot autonomous ride-pooling service in Hamburg using VW ID Buzz vans and intends to launch similar services in the US with partners Uber and Beep this year. Volkswagen’s autonomous mobility division, Moia, has started providing rides in self-driving ID Buzz vans to preregistered locals in Hamburg, marking the first instance of a significant European car manufacturer offering an autonomous passenger service in its home region. At the start, up to five vehicles are in operation, with plans to expand the fleet to ten, and each vehicle is accompanied by a trained safety monitor who can intervene if needed. Rides are complimentary during the trial and can be booked via the Moia app.

      The service acts as a shared autonomous shuttle rather than a private robotaxi. Passengers heading in the same direction can share rides, and pickups and drop-offs occur at designated virtual stops instead of door-to-door service. The pilot encompasses approximately four square miles in Hamburg, with plans to gradually extend to around 14 square miles, according to a Moia spokesperson speaking to Business Insider. Moia has indicated that thousands of individuals have already signed up for the waiting list since registration began. The aim is to eventually integrate the service with Hamburg’s hvv switch public transport app, framing autonomous vehicles as a complement to existing public transport rather than a substitute. "Our first passengers are now experiencing autonomous mobility in Hamburg’s urban environment for the first time," stated Moia CEO Sascha Meyer.

      The Hamburg initiative is part of a government-supported project known as ALIKE, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport through mid-2027. The vehicles utilize Mobileye’s autonomous driving technology and operate at SAE Level 4, meaning they can manage all driving tasks within a defined area without human assistance. Moia aims to secure European regulatory approval for fully driverless ID Buzz operations by 2027.

      Simultaneously, Moia is expanding its presence in the US. The company anticipates launching an autonomous shuttle service in Orlando in partnership with Beep later this quarter and plans to deploy autonomous ID Buzz vehicles on the Uber platform in Los Angeles by the end of the year. The collaboration with Beep aims for a fleet of up to 5,000 autonomous vehicles over the next decade, while the Uber deployment in LA began on-road testing in April with about 10 vehicles.

      Moia is entering a competitive European robotaxi market where Waymo is getting ready to launch in London, while Uber and Wayve have initiated a waitlist there, and Waymo has registered a German entity indicating future intentions in the country. The company has stated that running a standalone robotaxi service is not part of its overall business strategy and instead plans to offer an autonomous mobility platform for public and private fleet operators, setting it apart from the private ride-hailing model preferred by most competitors.