The project brings together Ruter, Oslo’s public transport authority, Holo, a company experienced in autonomous vehicle operations, and MOIA, the Volkswagen Group’s mobility arm. MOIA provides the vehicles and the software ecosystem, Holo contributes operational know-how, and Ruter connects the service to the city’s transport infrastructure. The goal isn’t just testing technology; it’s exploring how autonomous vehicles could function in a real city setting.

The first area to host these shuttles is Groruddalen, a district where trials have been running since 2023. Here, the vehicles have been tested in everyday conditions: city traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, and occasional congestion. The ID. Buzz AD shuttles are fully electric and equipped with lidar, radar, and cameras to detect their surroundings and navigate safely. Passengers can ride alone or share the vehicle with others, similar to a small, flexible bus service.

Winter conditions make Oslo a particularly challenging place for autonomous driving. Snow, ice, and low-light conditions force the software and sensors to adapt constantly. MOIA has been testing the shuttles in these conditions to ensure they can operate reliably even in extreme weather. These trials help the team gather data that will inform future deployments in other cities with challenging climates.

The initiative also ties into broader goals for urban mobility. By integrating autonomous shuttles with public transport, Oslo aims to make travel more flexible and reduce reliance on private cars. The hope is that shared, on-demand mobility could complement buses, trams, and trains, offering an option for shorter trips or areas where regular public transport is less frequent.

While fully driverless operation without safety personnel onboard still depends on regulations and further testing, the trials give residents a tangible sense of what future mobility could look like. In Oslo, autonomous vehicles are moving from experimental test tracks to everyday streets - and each ride provides data and insights that could shape how cities organize transport in the years ahead.