Volkswagen has revealed plans to begin its self-driving prototype programme on the streets of Munich this summer.

The cars will use the ID.Buzz electric vehicle as a base, fitted with technology from autonomous vehicle firm Argo AI, a company both Volkswagen and Ford invested in recently.

The system combines radar, lidar and cameras to ‘see’ the world around the car, creating a 3D world accurate up to 400 metres away. VW says the system can detect even the smallest particle of light, which is ‘key to sensing objects with low reflectivity’.

Bryan Salesky, founder and CEO of Argo AI, said: “We believe Argo AI has the largest urban self-driving testing footprint, with operations in six cities in the United States.”

“We are excited to begin testing our self-driving system on European roads later this year, building on the initial work we’re doing now at a new test track we established next to the Munich airport.”

The plan is to develop Level-4 autonomous driving abilities that can be used in self-driving vans in a bid to improve the transportation of both people and cargo. This level of self-driving wouldn’t require a driver, or even a steering wheel.

“Our aim with the self-driving version of the ID. Buzz is to facilitate commercial deployment of transport and delivery services starting in 2025”, explained divisional director Christian Senger.

“In select cities, customers will be able to have a self-driving vehicle take them to their destination. The delivery of goods and packages will also be made much easier through our autonomous driving service.”