Volkswagen ID.Buzz: the electric van will also be autonomous

Although the first version of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is scheduled for 2022, the German brand is focused on it and wants to make this vehicle, which is set to replace the legendary Bulli, more efficient. To do so, Volkswagen is working on a fully autonomous model, although we have only seen a design or two of this variant so far.

The company has announced the autonomous version, which would be based on the regular model due to launch soon and which it is developing together with the company Argo AI, with a launch date set for 2025. Its role will be transporting people and shared transport, mainly in the city.

Visible and efficient sensors

The sketch of the Volkswagen previewed on the vehicle keeps the essence of the ID.Buzz, but it has revealed a configuration designed to house the sensors and the other elements that will allow the model to move on its own. A roof dome will conceal much of those sensors and the LIDAR radar, with the ability to see through a 180-degree angle ahead.

The development of this company vehicle will not only feature the electric drivetrain developed by Volkswagen, but thanks to the autonomous driving system developed by Argo AI it will be able to move freely around the city without the need for a human driver at the wheel.

The launch date for this variant of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is scheduled for 2025, but it will not be until well after that when a valid level of performance from this version can be achieved. For now, the model is being tested in Germany, in a very early version designed to study how to make it work properly at this first stage of development.

The German company’s idea is that it will be during the second half of the 21st century that autonomous driving technology will be ready to fulfil its main function without risks. But to get there, there is still much to research and develop, which is why this study model is important. When the production model debuts in 2022, more information is expected about these technological advances and their functionality.