Autonomous shuttle for wheelchair users: Volkswagen is working on an accessible transport service of the future.

Autonomous driving is often associated with robotaxis, artificial intelligence and futuristic cityscapes. At Rehacare 2026 in Düsseldorf, however, a much more concrete question was at the center: How can wheelchair users in the future independently use an autonomous ride service? Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented the concept "Autonomous Wheelchair Mobility". Behind it lies the idea of a fully digitized shuttle service that enables wheelchair users to travel without a companion and without assistance from drivers. The goal is ambitious, but understandable: mobility should not only be automated but at the same time more inclusive.

The approach aligns with the Volkswagen Group's long-term strategy. For years, the company has been working together with its mobility brand MOIA on autonomous ride-pooling services based on the fully electric ID. Buzz. Hamburg is considered the first target city for commercial deployments; additional European and North American markets are to follow. Volkswagen views autonomous fleets as an important component of future Mobility as a Service (MaaS) offerings, where passengers book vehicles via an app and are transported on demand. This is precisely where the new wheelchair concept comes into play.

Vehicle arrives at the push of a button

The service begins with an app. Through it the passenger orders an autonomous shuttle that travels to the desired pickup location. Unlike traditional taxi rides, several passengers are to be pooled on an intelligently calculated route. This corresponds to the ride-pooling principle that Volkswagen and MOIA have been pursuing for years. When the vehicle arrives, it projects the passenger's first name onto the sidewalk. The projection serves as identification and then transforms into an illuminated safety area. Using a smartphone, the user activates a lift that extends from the vehicle floor.

The key idea behind the system is that the passenger retains control at all times. He decides for himself when the lift is extended, when the platform rises and when the doors close. There is no support staff.

Robotic arm secures the wheelchair

For this is precisely where today's wheelchair transports often reach their limits. Upon entering the vehicle, the passenger positions themselves on a specially designed wheelchair space. Subsequently, safety belts are automatically deployed. In addition, a robotic arm secures the wheelchair to the vehicle floor. The system is intended to secure both the wheelchair and the person seated in it, and to prevent forward or backward rolling during the ride.

Volkswagen pursues a universal approach: The securing system should work with different wheelchair types and thus accommodate as many user groups as possible.