Peter Lyon
December 13, 2025
The Volkswagen Group is starting the next testing phase in Wolfsburg with its self-driving research vehicle Gen.Urban. After intensive trials, this process can now drive autonomously in real urban traffic. The research project aims to explore how passengers experience riding in a self-driving vehicle without a traditional steering wheel or pedals – and what requirements this creates for future vehicle concepts.
An interdisciplinary team from Volkswagen Group Innovation, including designers, human factors specialists, software engineers, and materials experts, is gathering comprehensive data on user behaviour and interaction with the Gen.Urban. These findings will contribute to the development of future interior and user experience (UX) concepts across the Group’s brands.
How do people spend their time in a self-driving vehicle?
Key questions include: How do people spend their time in a self-driving vehicle? Which digital features best support work, entertainment, or relaxation? How should interaction between the vehicle and passengers be designed, particularly for older people or children?
Simply put: Do people feel comfortable?
Even before departure, passengers can customise their preferences – via app or directly in the vehicle – from cabin temperature to ambient lighting. Upon entering, the Gen.Urban greets the passenger, and the seat automatically adjusts to the desired position. In addition, the vehicle’s digital interior can be tailored to individual preferences using artificial intelligence (AI). The wide front display with its information, light, and sound is then adapted to an individual theme.
Gen.Urban is designed without a traditional steering wheel or pedals. The test participant sits in the driver’s seat, while a trained safety driver monitors the vehicle from the passenger seat. If necessary, the safety driver can intervene at any time using a specially developed control panel with a joystick.
The current test phase initially involves Volkswagen Group employees and will last for a period of several weeks.
Dr. Nikolai Ardey, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, said, ”The technology for autonomous driving is making rapid progress. With our Gen.Urban research vehicle, we want to understand exactly how passengers experience autonomous driving.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The test course is quite a complicated 10-km route. The test route starts at the visitor parking lot at the HQ building. From there, the nearly ten-kilometre loop runs through Wolfsburg’s city area, passing the Sandkamp factory gate, Saar and Lessing streets, Brandenburger Platz, Breslauer Street, Grauhorststraße, and finally returning via Heinrich-Nordhoff-Street. Traffic light intersections, roundabouts, construction sites, residential areas, industrial areas, and congested traffic: the route is chosen to reflect typical challenges of urban traffic. Each test drive lasts approximately 20 minutes.
