Volkswagen launches autonomous vehicle testing in Wolfsburg

12 Dec Volkswagen launches autonomous vehicle testing in Wolfsburg

The Volkswagen Group is starting the next testing phase in Wolfsburg with its self-driving research vehicle Gen.Urban1. After intensive trials, the Gen.Urban can now drive autonomously in real urban traffic. The research projects aims to explore how passengers experience riding in a self-driving vehicle without a traditional steering wheel or pedals – and what requirements this creates for future vehicle concepts.

An interdisciplinary team from Volkswagen Group Innovation, including designers, human factors specialists, software engineers, and materials experts, is gathering comprehensive data on user behavior and interaction with the Gen.Urban. These findings will contribute to the development of future interior and user experience (UX) concepts across the Group’s brands. Gen.Urban is designed without a traditional steering wheel or pedals. The test participant sits in the driver’s seat, while a trained safety driver monitors the vehicle from the passenger seat. If necessary, the safety driver can intervene at any time using a specially developed control panel with a joystick.

The current test phase initially involves Volkswagen Group employees. The test phase is planned for a period of several weeks.

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