Austin is becoming ground zero for autonomous driving tests
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Volkswagen AG (OTCPK:VLKAF) launched its first autonomous vehicle test program in the U.S. with 10 all-electric ID. Buzz vehicles set to roam Austin, Texas in July. The ID. Buzz vehicles are outfitted with an autonomous driving technology platform developed by the global Volkswagen Group in partnership with technology company Mobileye Global (MBLY).
Looking ahead, Volkswagen (OTCPK:VLKAF) plans to grow its test fleet in Austin and also progressively expand testing operations to at least four more U.S. cities. The medium-term goal is for a commercial launch of autonomous driving vehicles in Austin by 2026.
"Expanding Volkswagen Groupâs global autonomous driving vehicle program to the United States marks an important milestone for us. In the future, we will tap into rising demand for new mobility services, and with our iconic ID. Buzz, we will also offer a truly captivating product to support transportation services American consumers can rely upon and trust," noted Volkswagen Group of America CEO Pablo Di Si.
The German automaker nabbed former employees of Argo AI for the autonomous vehicle initiative. Volkswagen Group of America said it is leading the effort in the United States and has created a new subsidiary called Volkswagen ADMT (autonomous driving, mobility and transport) that will have teams in Belmont, California, and Austin.
The street of Austin will also have autonomous vehicles driving around as part of tests being conducted by Alphabet's (GOOG) Waymo and General Motors' (GM) Cruise. Meanwhile, the latest word from Austin-based Tesla (TSLA) is that fully autonomous vehicles will be tested later this year. "This is only speculation, but I think we'll achieve full self-driving, maybe what you would call four or five, I think later this year," stated Elon Musk at an AI conference in Shanghai.
Austin joins Phoenix and Silicon Valley as the top testing grounds for autonomous vehicles.
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