Volkswagen transforms the ID Buzz, its modern Combi, into an autonomous taxi

Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant world where autonomous driving was still considered science fiction, a Volkswagen decided to venture into the unknown. The ID Buzz, this iconic Combi from the 60s, transformed into an eco-friendly version with a touch of modernity, didn’t just decide to don a superhero costume. No, this sleek vehicle, which made us all dream of road trips and sunny vacations, has metamorphosed into an autonomous taxi. Yes, you heard it right, an autonomous taxi, to drive without a driver. Can we really trust a vehicle that doesn’t even need a driver to bring us home after a night out?

The Combi, the icon reinvents itself as a robotaxi

The transformation of the ID Buzz into an autonomous taxi is implemented by Volkswagen, through its ambitious sustainable mobility project. With a lucrative partnership with Uber, they plan to deploy several thousands of these technological wonders on American roads by 2026. One can only imagine what Oliver Blume, the man behind the wheel — well, if there is one — thinks of this bold adventure. Basically, a German car company is teaming up with a giant in the VTC transport sector to fill smart cities with vehicles that don’t even know where they’re going without GPS. Who could this happen to?

A technology that makes the buzz

To produce this autonomous taxi, Volkswagen surely took great inspiration from science fiction films. With no less than 13 cameras, 9 lidars, and 5 radars, this vehicle is equipped to detect everything that moves — including perhaps the pigeons that dare cross the street. If sensors were superheroes, the ID Buzz AD would undoubtedly be their mentor, ready to face the chaos of modern cities. But the question remains: how long before these robots completely replace us? Let’s remember that Tesla is already struggling to deploy its robotaxis without human supervision, so why would this Combi have a better chance?

A future in Volkswagen style

Speaking of the future, who would have thought that this good old Combi, a symbol of hippies in search of freedom, would become an iconic figure of smart cities? At a time when electric energy is racing against time to implant itself in every corner of the planet, Volkswagen hopes to establish itself as a leader in the autonomous taxi market, a colossal market estimated at 300 billion dollars by 2035. Let’s just hope that governments get their act together behind them for the legislation. Because having a taxi that drives you to the party without a driver is nice, but a hefty speeding ticket could quickly ruin the evening.

Innovation and challenges of the modern era

With ambitions to qualify for level 4 of autonomous driving, Volkswagen has all the cards in hand to play in the big leagues. But be careful: as long as the technology isn’t reliable enough to navigate without a “just in case” driver, who imagined that the city is a real obstacle course? Moreover, a driver’s seat plopping on the steering wheel doesn’t really inspire confidence.

So, so, so... will we be ready, as a society, to let go of the wheel? Or will this poor ID Buzz end up looking sad, smiling at the boredom of this daily routine on the roads? In the era of futuristic transport, no matter how long it takes, technology will undoubtedly follow its course. Whatever we might think about it, we must admit, having a taxi that doesn’t need anyone could ultimately be the best thing that ever happened to us. All we can wonder is: is using an app to call a driverless taxi really how we will step into modernity? I can already imagine Uber users fighting for the best spot.

Source: www.bfmtv.com

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