Volkswagen's 4-seat robotaxi with 27 sensors to hit US roads in 2026

Volkswagen has officially launched the production-ready ID. Buzz AD, a four-seat electric robotaxi equipped with 27 sensors—including 13 cameras, nine Lidars, and five radars—designed to compete with Tesla’s autonomous vehicles. Unlike Tesla’s current Level 2 autonomy, the ID. Buzz AD is built for SAE Level 4 autonomy, enabling fully driverless operation in designated areas without human intervention. The vehicle’s AI-powered control system, developed in partnership with Mobileye, processes real-time sensory data to handle various driving scenarios and emergencies. Additionally, the robotaxi includes remote monitoring capabilities and software certification, features Tesla has yet to achieve. Volkswagen offers the ID. Buzz AD as a turnkey Autonomous Driving Mobility-as-a-Service (AD MaaS) platform, which integrates fleet management, passenger assistance, and compatibility with third-party ride-hailing services. This comprehensive package allows businesses, cities, and fleet operators to deploy autonomous vehicle services without developing infrastructure or software from scratch. The van’s