he Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide has obtained approval from California to test its autonomous vehicles with passengers.
This came after it acquired authorization from the state’s utility controller.
WeRide is an international Chinese startup that uses machine learning technology to develop autonomous driving vehicles (robotaxi). The startup was established in Silicon Valley and owns various cooperation centers in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Studies indicated that robotaxi vehicles, powered by machine learning technology, can have a very positive effect on aspects like road safety, parking, traffic jams, pollution, and energy consumption. The move follows the WeRide startup's beginning procedure to go public on the U.S. stock market at an almost $5 billion evaluation. The period also corresponded with some records that the Commerce Department identifies as a ban on Chinese-connected cars - involving robotaxi - as a result of national security issues.
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Until 2nd August, WeRide startup robotaxi vehicles have received two licenses from the California Public Utilities Commission: a drivered pilot authorized and a driverless pilot authorized. Through both of them, the WeRide startup can test its robotaxi on public routes having passengers on board.
These passengers are the former with a person security on the back of the wheel and, and the latter without one. However, the licenses don’t yet enable WeRide startup to load passengers for the riding and the service isn’t open to the broad public.
WeRide startup hasn’t declared yet if it has begun carrying passengers in its robotaxi. Despite that, a representative from the CPUC told the media that WeRide startup is allowed to initiate the testing in San Jose and nearby areas. He also claimed that WeRide owns 12 active robotaxi among its equipment register today.
WeRide robotaxi vehicles have started the tests without travelers on open roads from San Jose since 2021. This happened after the WeRide startup obtained its passes from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
However, WeRide’s launch in California has been slow. As an example, in 2023 WeRide’s robotaxi vehicles ran just 42,391 miles independently on the state’s territory, per DMV data. In comparison, Waymo, its main competition, rode above 9 million autonomous miles.
The WeRide startup has revealed only a few things about its plans for business in California. Its CPUC license claims that WeRide is “limited to the use of vehicles seating fewer than 16 people, including the driver.” This condition, which doesn’t appear on Waymo’s, Cruise’s, or Zoox’s licenses, could be linked to WeRide's various vehicle types. Among its machine learning robotaxi, WeRide has also created a robobus, which can transport up to 10 passengers.
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