MOIA starts autonomous passenger operations in Hamburg with self-driving ID. Buzz fleet

MOIA has launched passenger test operations of its autonomous ridepooling service in Hamburg, allowing registered residents to book rides in self-driving ID. Buzz vehicles as part of the ALIKE project.

MOIA has started the next phase of its autonomous mobility program in Hamburg on July 15th. Selected pre-registered residents can now book trips in all-electric autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles through the MOIA app. According to the company’s press materials, the booking option will also be integrated into the hvv app in the coming weeks. The launch marks the first time that autonomous ridepooling services are available to passengers in Hamburg’s urban traffic under the ALIKE pilot project.

The initiative represents the latest development in MOIA’s strategy to commercialize autonomous mobility technology. According to the company, the platform combines autonomy-enabled vehicles, Mobileye’s self-driving technology, a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) software platform, and operational services designed for fleet operators. MOIA states that the operational experience gathered in Hamburg will be used in the continued development of its technology platform for deployment in additional markets.

Beyond Hamburg, MOIA states that it is conducting autonomous mobility activities at locations in Germany, Norway and the United States, where additional passenger pilot operations are being prepared. According to the company, these activities contribute to validating the technology under different operating conditions.

Autonomous ridepooling service begins in Hamburg

Passenger operations begin with a fleet of up to ten autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles operating in parts of Winterhude, Barmbek and Wandsbek. As with MOIA’s conventional ridepooling service, passengers travelling in similar directions share vehicles, while pick-up and drop-off take place at designated virtual stops.

During the pilot phase, rides will be provided free of charge and each vehicle will carry a trained safety operator. Access is currently limited to selected registered Hamburg residents participating in the test program.

ALIKE project supported by federal and local partners

The passenger launch represents the latest milestone of the ALIKE project, a €26 million initiative led by Hamburg public transport operator HOCHBAHN and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Transport. As outlined when the project was launched, ALIKE aims to demonstrate how autonomous, app-based ridepooling services can complement conventional public transport, with the longer-term objective of enabling the deployment of up to 10,000 autonomous shuttles in Hamburg by 2030.

Within the project, MOIA is responsible for operating the autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz fleet and provides the digital ridepooling platform through which passengers book trips. A second autonomous fleet will be introduced by HOCHBAHN using Holon Urban shuttles, developed by the Benteler subsidiary. Unlike the four-seat ID. Buzz vehicles, the barrier-free Holon Urban is designed to carry up to 15 passengers and will operate as part of the same on-demand ecosystem.

MOIA states that its autonomous mobility solution integrates production-ready vehicles, self-driving technology, fleet orchestration software and operational management into a single platform intended for deployment by public and private mobility operators.

In brief

• Who can access the service? Selected pre-registered Hamburg residents can currently book autonomous rides through the MOIA app.
• Which vehicles are being used? The pilot operates all-electric autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles.
• Where does the service operate? The initial operating area includes parts of Winterhude, Barmbek and Wandsbek in Hamburg.
• Who is behind the ALIKE project? HOCHBAHN leads the project together with MOIA, HOLON, KIT and Hamburg’s Ministry for Transport and Mobility Transition, with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Transport.

“Autonomous driving has the potential to make a tangible contribution to improving quality of life for everyone. Here in Hamburg, that vision is becoming a reality step by step. With the mobility project ALIKE, passengers can now experience first-hand how autonomous mobility services can meaningfully complement public transport. It offers people a modern, comfortable, and reliable mobility option. As the Federal Ministry for Transport, we are committed to supporting projects like this because they provide valuable insights that can help shape the future of mobility in cities and regions across Germany,” says Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister for Transport. 

“Hamburg is the ideal place for pioneering mobility solutions. With our innovative transport infrastructure, we want to continue leading the way in autonomous driving and bring these vehicles onto our streets. With ALIKE, autonomous ridepooling is now taking a major step forward—from testing under real-world conditions to becoming part of everyday life for people in Hamburg. Our goal is a modern, reliable, and well-connected public transport system that makes meaningful use of new technologies,” says Anjes Tjarks, Hamburg Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition. 

“Our first passengers are now experiencing autonomous mobility in Hamburg’s urban traffic for the first time. For MOIA, this marks an important milestone in the development of our European solution. The insights we gain from real-world operations will help us further refine our technology and service and prepare them for deployment in additional markets. Hamburg plays a central role in this journey: it is here that we are demonstrating how autonomous mobility can be introduced step by step into everyday use,” says Sascha Meyer, CEO of MOIA.