WeRide, a robotaxi operator from China, confirmed that it has partnered with Hyundai Motor to develop a car with a hydrogen-powered autonomous driving system.
The collaboration comes at a time when research and clean hydrogen production is increasingly becoming a focal point for China, which has been trying to decarbonize its economy.
In September last year, Hyundai said it plans to offer a hydrogen fuel cell version for all of its commercial vehicles from 2028.
With the collaboration with WeRide, Hyundai can expand the use of its hydrogen products to robotaxis.
In addition, vehicles that use hydrogen fuel have advantages such as being able to refill in just a few minutes and being more environmentally friendly when compared to fossil fuels.
Hyundai itself reportedly chose Guangzhou as a pilot zone in developing hydrogen-powered autonomous vehicles, considering that Hyundai has been producing hydrogen fuel cell systems in the city since March 2021.
When the facility opened last year, the South Korean auto giant set an annual target of producing around 6,500 units, with the aim of gradually expanding production capacity in line with Chinese market conditions and central government policies.
WeRide introduces autonomous driving sensor kit WeRide SS 5.0
