Overview
- Uber and Volkswagen’s MOIA unit started on-road testing in Los Angeles on Wednesday with about 10 ID. Buzz vans and human safety drivers.
- The companies plan to grow the validation fleet to more than 100 vehicles in LA before expanding to multiple U.S. markets over time.
- Rides booked through the Uber app are slated for late 2026 with safety operators, while Volkswagen says fully driverless service is expected in 2027.
- The vans use a 27-sensor setup with 13 cameras, 9 lidars, and 5 radars feeding a Mobileye computer, and MOIA says the design meets SAE Level 4 conditions in defined areas.
- Uber is leaning on a partner model after selling its in-house AV unit, already offering autonomous rides with Waymo and Avride in select cities as it adds MOIA to the platform.