MaaS The new Argo Lidar slated for use in the coming Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles robo-shuttle service is claimed to provide clear images of the environment at ranges up to 400 meters. perception, combined with higher-wavelength operation above 1400 nanometers, are the cornerstones of Argo Lidar's high performance and represents " real progress " in lidar technology, Salesky contended. Salesky called Argo Lidar " smart, safe and scalable. " The company said its hardware-development team is collaborating with " a highly experienced contract manufacturer " for series production. He said it currently is being deployed as a single-sensor solution, but depending on body style or configuration, a vehicle potentially could use more than one Argo Lidar unit. Steering-wheel optional Meanwhile, VWCV's Senger said his unit is developing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and full automation for both personal and commercial vehicles. He stressed that " a steering wheel is not necessarily in the future " for commercial delivery and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) applications. Senger envisions a near future of urban roboshuttles operating at speeds less than 20 mph (32 km/h) and " highway pilot " ADAS systems for personal vehicles based on increasing access to once costly technology such as high-power 24 July 2021 onboard computing, high-definition mapping and advanced 360-degree sensing capabilities. He noted that 77% of the German population lives in a city and that the 10 largest cities in the U.S. and Europe comprise about 50% of the target group for driving services. He added that VW and Argo are convinced that " a start in the most-challenging environments is the right way " to prove out the mettle of automated-driving systems (ADS). Senger said roboshuttles and automated parcel delivery are projected to be a $500-billion market by 2030. The first ride-pooling ID.Buzz-based vehicle are expected to be in service in Hamburg by October 2021. MOIA's Henrich is confident that automated shuttles and delivery services will make cities more livable. Other companies and alliances have in the past promised meaningful deployments of roboshuttle service. Almost all of them ultimately failed to execute, typically requiring ride-along " safety " drivers to supervise the ADS operation. The VW-Argo collaboration has until sometime in 2025 to reverse that trend. Senger insisted VWCV's ID.Buzz-based roboshuttles will be " market ready " - and " without any safety driver. " ■ AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE ENGINEERING Volkswagen