Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide is planning a European expansion after getting the green light to pilot its self-driving vehicles in Switzerland.
The company currently holds driverless permits in China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United States (U.S.). But, the company’s CEO has expressed keen interest in extending operates to the European continent.
CEO of WeRide, Tony Han, said:
“We are bringing leading L4 autonomous driving technology and mature solutions to local towns in Switzerland, not only providing practical assistance to complement the local public transportation network and improve travel efficiency for residents but also accumulating valuable experience for exploring the widespread application of intelligent transportation in Europe,”
The pilot trial in Switzerland will deliver a fleet of autonomous vehicles that are expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025 and operate in a fully unmanned mode for up to five years.
Other rumoured areas of interest for company extension include Japan and the Middle East, according to the WSJ. However, any global market that is in need of autonomous technology is on the cards.
“We want to serve the global market. Wherever there’s a need for driverless taxis and buses—that’s where we want to go,” said Han, according to the WSJ.
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced it will be banning Chinese-developed software and hardware in vehicles within the nation, causing reactive concerns in Europe.
Keep up-to-date with the latest mobility news by subscribing to MOVEMNT’s free newsletter
