Argo AI
Self-driving technology you can trust.
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At Volkswagen, we’re always looking for creative opportunities to innovate. That’s why we’re working with Argo AI to develop some of the most futuristic vehicles. Together we plan to implement first-class autonomous driving technology for self-driving vans.
Who is Argo AI?
Argo AI was founded in 2016 by Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander with the aim to develop exceptional self-driving technology that is safe, easy and enjoyable for all. Especially for those who live in cities where safe and reliable transportation is needed most.
The technology
Argo AI’s core product, the Argo Self-Driving System, acts as the eyes, ears and brain of an autonomous vehicle. It uses highly-detailed 3D maps and a suite of lidar, radar and sensors to plan and direct the vehicle safely and naturally just like an experienced driver. Today, Argo AI technology is integrated into two test vehicles, one of which is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
Our partnership
In July 2019, Volkswagen announced plans to invest $2.6 billion into Argo AI. This was the start of a fruitful partnership that is now making autonomous driving more accessible.
Together we created Argo AI’s first fully electric vehicle and Volkswagen’s first self-driving vehicle, the ID. Buzz. First revealed as a concept in 2017, the first self-driving prototypes based on this concept car, now equipped with Argo AI’s technology, is now currently being tested on Argo AI’s brand new closed course at Franz Josef Strauss International Airport in Munich.
It features Argo AI’s lidar sensor which can detect objects from a distance of more than 400 metres. Soon, this vehicle will be used on the streets of Munich. Our goal is for Hamburg to use ID. Buzz vehicles for commercial services in 2025, especially for ride-pooling services.
Buzzing for the first tests
ID. Buzz was first revealed as a concept in 2017. In 2021 the first self-driving prototypes based on this concept car, now equipped with Argo AI’s technology, will begin testing in Munich, Germany. It will feature Argo AI’s lidar sensor which can detect objects from a distance of more than 400 metres. This is only the very first development in our bigger exploration of a self-driving ride pool system.