Volkswagen & Argo AI ID Buzz Autonomous Vehicle

Volkswagen and Argo AI Unveil Autonomous ID Buzz

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the VW division specializing in light commercial vehicle development and sales, and Argo AI, a leading autonomous driving technology firm, jointly presented the initial iteration of the ID Buzz AD (Autonomous Driving) on Sunday.

The collaborative effort between the two companies includes plans for testing and eventual commercial deployment of the fully electric, self-driving van over the coming four years. This announcement was made during the VW event preceding the 2021 IAA Mobility Event in Munich.

Testing and Development

Initial testing of the prototype – one of the first five being constructed – is already underway. Testing locations include Argo’s development center in Neufahrn, near Munich.

Further evaluation will occur at Argo’s nine-hectare test facility close to Munich Airport. This closed course is designed to simulate a wide range of traffic scenarios specific to European driving conditions. Testing will also be conducted at Argo’s test track in the United States.

Argo AI's Perspective

“Leveraging five years of development and insights gained from operations in complex U.S. urban environments, we are eager to commence testing on Munich’s streets,” stated Bryan Salesky, founder and CEO of Argo AI. “This will prepare us for the launch of a self-driving commercial ride-pooling service in partnership with MOIA.”

In 2025, MOIA, a VW Group subsidiary focused on collaborative mobility solutions with cities and public transport providers, intends to launch the ID Buzz in Hamburg.

This launch will be as part of a self-driving ride-pool system, designed to utilize autonomous technology to alleviate congestion within city centers.

Volkswagen's Investment in Autonomy

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has established a dedicated business unit for autonomous driving and has also invested in Argo AI. At the event, they showcased how ride-pooling facilitated by a self-driving system can contribute to improved traffic management.

“The vehicle’s comprehensive environment recognition system, comprising six lidar units, eleven radar sensors, and fourteen cameras, captures significantly more data than a human driver could perceive,” explained Christian Senger, head of autonomous driving at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

ID Buzz: From Concept to Reality

The ID Buzz was initially unveiled as a concept vehicle in 2017, reimagining the classic microbus with a futuristic design. It evokes a sense of nostalgia as a family camper van.

The production model differs somewhat from the iconic campers, now incorporating advanced autonomous capabilities. This includes Argo’s proprietary sensor, Argo Lidar, positioned on the vehicle’s roof.

Argo AI states that its lidar technology can detect objects at distances exceeding 1,300 feet (400 meters). The company acquired lidar company Princeton Lightwave four years ago, enabling the development of this highly precise sensor.

This sensor utilizes patented Geiger-mode technology, capable of detecting even a single photon – the smallest unit of light – to accurately capture and represent objects with low reflectivity, such as black vehicles.

The Autonomous System

Argo AI’s complete system integrates sensors and software to provide the vehicle with a 360-degree understanding of its surroundings.

This allows the system to “anticipate the movements of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, and control the engine, brakes, and steering for safe and natural operation, mirroring the behavior of an experienced driver,” according to a statement from VW.

Expanding Autonomous Operations

This is not the first instance of Argo’s technology being used for human transportation. In July, Argo and Ford announced plans to deploy at least 1,000 self-driving vehicles on Lyft’s ride-hailing network over the next five years in cities like Miami and Austin.

Also in July, the California Public Utilities Commission granted Argo a Drivered AV pilot permit, allowing for testing on public roads in California.

Argo AI recently achieved a valuation of $12.4 billion, almost two years after the VW Group completed its $2.6 billion investment in the company.

(Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Argo AI’s valuation as $7.5 million. The correct figure is $12.4 billion.)