"The Gen.Urban is currently operating on a set route in Wolfsburg to observe passenger reactions to vehicles without a steering wheel. Volkswagen wants to enter the autonomous vehicle space and it plans to offer a self-driving ID. Buzz next year. More carmakers are looking at producing driverless robotaxis and Volkswagen wants to be at the forefront. The German giant has begun testing an autonomous cab in its hometown of Wolfsburg, Germany, without a steering wheel and pedals."
"It's just a research project for now, but the Gen.Urban self-driving taxi is likely a prototype that will eventually spawn a production vehicle. Volkswagen previously revealed a robotaxi based on the ID. Buzz, which will go on sale next year. However, the Gen.Urban is different and looks like a bespoke vehicle specifically designed for robotaxi duty. In a news release announcing the start of testing in Wolfsburg, Volkswagen shared almost no information about the vehicle."
"There is a safety driver onboard for now (sitting in the passenger's seat), who can take control of the vehicle with a joystick. The vehicle looks like it belongs to the ID. family of electric vehicles, but it's that little bit more futuristic-looking. VW only released one photo of the Gen.Urban, but it appears to be a four-door vehicle with rear-hinged rear doors, so it may not have a traditional B-pillar to facilitate easy access into the back seats."
Volkswagen has introduced the Gen.Urban, a bespoke autonomous taxi prototype operating on a fixed route in Wolfsburg to gauge passenger reactions to vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. The vehicle lacks traditional controls and side mirrors, using camera pods and likely multiple cameras including a rear-facing unit in a roof bump. A safety driver currently rides in the passenger seat with a joystick to take control. The Gen.Urban appears to belong to the ID. family stylistically but features rear-hinged rear doors and possibly no B-pillar for easier rear access. Volkswagen previously revealed an ID. Buzz robotaxi planned for sale next year.
Read at insideevs.com
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