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06/12/24

Autonomous ridepooling in Hamburg: MOIA starts tests with users

Autonomes Ridepooling in Hamburg wird nun erlebbar. Bei einem Termin mit Dr. Anjes Tjarks, Hamburger Senator für Verkehr und Mobilitätswende, konnten sich Medienvertreter*innen einen Überblick verschaffen.

To kick things off, media representatives got an impression of the prototype of the ID. Buzz AD 

Experience autonomous driving in Hamburg

Since our launch in 2019 as a provider of all-electric ridepooling, we have transported more than eleven million passengers in the Hanseatic city. The next logical step for us is autonomous ridepooling in Hamburg, which will enable us to have a larger fleet in the future. This will allow us to be even more flexible and responsive to the individual mobility needs of our customers and offer them a convenient and smart service.   

Following successful test drives in Austin (USA) and Munich last year, we are now reaching the next milestone: together with Volkswagen ADMT, MOIA is bringing autonomous ridepooling to life in Hamburg and consistently driving forward the development of autonomous mobility services at automation level 4 in accordance with the SAE standard. 

With autonomous ridepooling, we are developing an important future technology that we want to bring to market maturity in the coming months. The ID. Buzz AD fleet will be implemented in the MOIA software environment, which includes intelligent fleet management, the booking app and passenger management. 

Autonomous vehicle hub

Zum Auftakt verschafften sich Medienvertreter*innen bei einer Probefahrt einen Eindruck vom Prototyp des ID. Buzz AD 

User group tests started with VW employees 

Sascha Meyer, CEO of MOIA, gave an insight into the current developments surrounding autonomous ridepooling in Hamburg at a press event in the Hanseatic city in November. ‘Our tests have already started. In addition to the driving function in heavy traffic, we are testing all functions for the safe and comfortable transport of customers. In the coming year, we will gradually expand the test operation. Selected people will then be able to book the autonomous MOIAs and be taken to their destination in the same way as during regular operation in the test area - with the difference that the vehicle will drive autonomously,’ said Sascha Meyer. So far, the user group tests have only taken place with VW employees; a safety driver is still on board.    

In addition to numerous media representatives, Hamburg's transport senator Dr Anjes Tjarks also came to find out more: ‘The first autonomous vehicles should be on the road in the city centre in 2025. The first test groups will then be able to drive along and give their feedback. Together with our partners from MOIA, VW, the federal government and Hochbahn, we want to take another important step towards testing autonomous ridepooling in Hamburg from mid-2025.’ 

Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen ADMT, emphasised how important the safety aspect is in the developments: ‘The safety of passengers and everyone involved in transport is our top priority. This also includes regular dialogue with the local police and fire services.’ In later operation, the autonomous vehicles will be optimally integrated into the city's emergency management system and will move to the right-hand side of the road when forming emergency lanes, for example. 

Autonomous ID. Buzz

Media representatives test drive the prototype of the ID. Buzz AD

As part of the press event, together with Volkswagen ADMT, we gave media representatives the opportunity to test drive the prototype of the ID. Buzz AD prototype through Hamburg's city traffic - in typical Hamburg bad weather. Jörn Lauterbach wrote as feedback for Die Welt: ‘Hamburg's rainy weather and all the obstacles described above at least don't make the minibus (...) despair. (...) Compared to the first autonomous test drives of recent years, which could also be experienced in the test stage in Hamburg, a clear difference can be experienced.’ 

Christian Müßgens wrote about this in the FAZ under the headline ‘Autonomous in the hustle and bustle of the city’: ‘On a test drive for journalists this week, the car moved confidently through Winterhude. It overtakes quickly and doesn't hesitate for long, even when the situation becomes confusing.’ 

In the Stern article (‘On the road in a VW robo-taxi: no driver? Almost no problem!’), Christian Hensen summarised: ‘It's frightening how quickly you forget that there's no one at the wheel / It's a big deal, but after just a few minutes it feels like it's never been any different. It's absolutely crazy how much confidence you have in the technology after just a few metres.’   

Georg J. Schulz came to the following conclusion for the Hamburger Abendblatt: ‘Whether narrowing the lane, approaching traffic lights or turning off: All of this initially works on our journey without the assistance driver having to intervene. However, it's noticeable that the prototype does apply the brakes when something seems strange (...).’  

Two TV stations, Sat.1 and NDR, were also on site and each published a report. 

You can read more about our mission and the advantages of autonomous ridepooling here.