The partnership builds on Uber’s strategy of integrating others’ autonomous systems into its ride-hail network, adding to existing deals with Waymo, WeRide, and Avride.

Tesla and Musk are synonymous. Most Americans cannot name the chairperson of Waymo or Volkswagen or Uber. For better or worse, that means that if one of those people wears a dumb t-shirt or makes a controversially questionable arm motion (unless they do so in a very public setting with the entire world watching), we're unlikely to know or care.

Volkswagen and Uber will bring autonomous VW ID. Buzz AD vans to Los Angeles starting in 2026, ahead of other US regions, with the goal of launching robotaxi operations under the Uber app. The automaker will begin testing its ID. Buzz vans in LA this year, at first with a safety driver on board.