Volkswagen’s MOIA America and Uber have commenced trials of self-driving microbuses in Los Angeles, as announced by the companies on Wednesday, marking a significant move towards their aim to roll out a robotaxi service by the end of 2026.

Last year, MOIA America and Uber revealed an ambitious initiative to establish a commercial robotaxi service — featuring autonomous iterations of Volkswagen’s electric ID. Buzz minivan — across several U.S. cities in the coming decade. Los Angeles is highlighted as the inaugural city on this agenda.

Testing is set to commence in the forthcoming weeks with approximately 10 autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles operating in Los Angeles, as per the company. The finalized version of the driverless vehicle accommodates four passengers.

Paul DeLong, president of commercialization at MOIA America, described Los Angeles as an ideal market for launching the company’s autonomous vehicles for transport experiences, “considering its extensive background in shaping car culture and its receptiveness to new mobility technologies.”

Since the announcement made last year, MOIA America and Uber have established a joint facility in Los Angeles for the routine management of their fleet. Although the test fleet is modest at present, Volkswagen indicates that it will eventually expand to over 100 autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles. Initially, these vehicles will operate with a human safety operator present. The onset of driverless operations is anticipated for 2027, according to the company.

Sascha Meyer, the chief commercial officer for Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, stated that this subsequent phase illustrates the “strong momentum supporting the strategy to integrate autonomous mobility into practical application.”

The name MOIA America signifies a relatively new branding for Volkswagen’s autonomous vehicle initiatives in the U.S., previously referred to as Volkswagen ADMT until early 2026. However, the MOIA brand has existed since its inception by Volkswagen in 2018 during TechCrunch Disrupt London and is primarily recognized in Europe, where it manages a ride-pooling service and trials autonomous vehicle technology in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Oslo. The rebranding is intended to signify the link between the U.S. and European operations.

MOIA America must still traverse a lengthy regulatory procedure before launching a commercial robotaxi service — involving driverless vehicles that charge passengers for rides — in California. The company will require permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which oversees autonomous vehicle testing and deployment in the state. Additionally, it will need a ride-hailing permit from the California Public Utilities Commission.

On the other hand, Uber has diversified its ventures in autonomous vehicles. The company collaborates with 25 partners applying autonomous technology to sectors including delivery, drones, ride-hailing, and trucking. Within the U.S., its most prominent partnership is with Waymo. However, the company is extending its AV aspirations to international markets, forming agreements with Chinese firms to introduce robotaxis in Europe and the Middle East, as well as partnerships with startups like U.K.-based Wayve.

Recently, Uber finalized an agreement with Rivian to acquire 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis ahead of a planned introduction in San Francisco and Miami in 2028. As part of this deal, Uber is making an initial investment of $300 million in Rivian.