If you’ve been keeping up with autonomous vehicles, you’ve probably heard a lot about Waymo and Cruise. These two U.S. companies are leading the charge in driverless taxi services, making headlines with fully operational robotaxi fleets in places like Phoenix and San Francisco.
But across the Atlantic, Volkswagen has been quietly working on a very similar goal—just with a different strategy. Through its mobility brand, MOIA, Volkswagen is preparing to roll out a fleet of electric, autonomous ID. Buzz vans in European cities, starting with Hamburg.
So how does MOIA stack up against Waymo and Cruise? What sets it apart? And what can both sides of the Atlantic learn from each other?
Let’s break it down.
What Is MOIA?
MOIA is Volkswagen Group’s specialized mobility division. Unlike traditional automakers, MOIA doesn’t sell private vehicles. Instead, it focuses exclusively on shared urban transportation.
Their big idea? Let people book an affordable, electric ride they can share with others going in the same direction—without a driver behind the wheel.
MOIA’s vehicle of choice is the autonomous version of the VW ID. Buzz—a spacious, electric van designed to carry multiple passengers. Testing is already underway in Hamburg, and the company plans to launch a full robotaxi fleet in the near future.
The plan is gradual but clear: start small, test thoroughly, work with local governments, and build public trust before scaling.
Meet the U.S. Robotaxi Players: Waymo and Cruise
In the U.S., Waymo and Cruise are leading the robotaxi race.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet (Google’s parent company), is widely considered the most advanced autonomous vehicle company in the world. After over a decade of testing, Waymo now runs fully driverless ride services in Phoenix, San Francisco, and parts of Los Angeles.
Cruise, owned by General Motors and backed by investors like Honda, has also been expanding fast. After launching in San Francisco, Cruise now has pilot programs in cities like Austin and Phoenix and plans for more.
Both companies have logged millions of miles, faced challenges, and reached commercial operations—at least in a few urban areas.
MOIA vs. Waymo and Cruise: What’s the Difference?
Let’s take a side-by-side look at how these three compare in key areas:
- Parent Companies
- MOIA is backed by Volkswagen, one of the largest automakers in the world. Its focus is European mobility and integrating with public transport.
- Waymo is supported by Alphabet/Google, giving it deep expertise in AI, data, and maps.
- Cruise is owned by General Motors and has support from Honda and other tech-forward partners.
- Vehicles
- MOIA uses the VW ID. Buzz—an electric van with a spacious, retro design, built for ride-pooling.
- Waymo uses modified Jaguar I-PACE SUVs and custom-built robotaxis like the Waymo One and Zeekr.
- Cruise started with Chevy Bolts and is developing a steering wheel–free autonomous pod called the Cruise Origin.
- A business model
- MOIA is all about ride-pooling. Think of it like a smart shuttle—clean, affordable, and efficient for busy city streets.
- Waymo and Cruise operate more like autonomous Ubers, offering private, one-passenger-at-a-time rides.
- Locations
- MOIA is starting in Hamburg, Germany, with plans to expand to other European cities.
- Waymo is active in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other U.S. cities.
- • Cruise has expanded to Austin, Phoenix, and other cities, with a focus on San Francisco.
- Rollout Strategy
- MOIA is taking it slow. First, it will focus on safety drivers, and once public trust and tech readiness are high, it will transition to full autonomy.
- Waymo is already running completely driverless rides in select areas.
- Cruise launched without drivers in San Francisco and is pushing to expand rapidly, despite some public challenges.
Why MOIA’s Approach Feels Different
While Waymo and Cruise are moving fast to dominate the U.S. robotaxi market, MOIA is taking a much more methodical approach. That’s because Europe is different—and MOIA is building a system that fits that environment.
European cities often have
- Narrower roads
- Higher pedestrian and cyclist traffic
- Stricter privacy and data laws
- Slower, more cautious regulatory processes
MOIA’s model respects these realities. It’s building trust with cities, focusing on shared rides, and proving the system in one place before rolling it out elsewhere. It’s less about speed and more about sustainability and integration.
What Can the U.S. Learn from MOIA?
MOIA’s strategy offers a few valuable lessons for American cities and companies:
- Ride-pooling reduces congestion, emissions, and costs. It’s a better fit for urban environments than one-passenger trips.
- Working closely with cities builds long-term support and helps the service fit into the broader transportation system.
- Starting small and building trust might take longer, but it can lead to more stable adoption and fewer public backlashes.
Instead of just adding more cars (even autonomous ones) to city streets, MOIA is trying to create a smarter mobility network.
And what can Europe learn from the U.S.?
Meanwhile, American companies have demonstrated that achieving complete autonomy is attainable. Waymo and Cruise are already giving thousands of driverless rides every month. Americans have generally been more open to trying new mobility options, which has helped accelerate testing and deployment.
By watching real-world U.S. trials, European regulators and riders may feel more confident about rolling out autonomous systems in their cities.
The key will be balancing innovation with Europe’s values: safety, data protection, and public access.
Final Thoughts: Different Paths, Same Destination
MOIA, Waymo, and Cruise are all trying to answer the same question: How do we move people safely, cleanly, and efficiently—without a human behind the wheel?
- MOIA is taking the Volkswagen route—slow, deliberate, and focused on the public good.
- Waymo is building on tech expertise to lead in autonomy and AI.
- Cruise is actively participating in urban disruption, placing a significant wager on a future that is fully electric and driverless.
They may be traveling different roads, but they’re all headed toward the same goal: a world where robotaxis are just another normal part of everyday life.
