WeRide said on Jan. 26 that its autonomous shuttle, Robobus, has entered commercial operation in Leuven, Belgium, marking a step forward in the company’s overseas expansion and in Europe’s adoption of automated public transport.
The autonomous shuttle has been integrated into Line 16 of De Lijn, the regional public transport operator, and is now operating as part of Leuven’s regular bus network. According to WeRide, the deployment represents Europe’s first commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in a dense city centre with mixed and complex traffic conditions.
See also: WeRide Robotaxi Fleet Tops 1,000 Vehicles as Global Expansion Accelerates
The route connects Leuven’s main railway station with the Heverlee district, passing through the city centre and serving multiple transport hubs and university areas. Passengers can access the service using standard De Lijn ticketing options, including digital tickets purchased via text message or through the operator’s mobile application.
The commercial rollout follows regulatory progress made in September 2025, when WeRide’s autonomous shuttle became the first vehicle in Belgium to receive a federal-level permit for Level 4 autonomous driving testing. The Leuven project is being carried out in cooperation with De Lijn, mobility consultancy Espaces-Mobilités, local and regional authorities, and with support from EIT Urban Mobility. The partners have described the deployment as a long-term programme, with operations planned to continue at least through 2027.
See also: WeRide Enables Robotaxi Bookings via WeChat in Guangzhou and Beijing
WeRide said the Leuven service is part of a broader strategy to expand its autonomous mobility offerings outside China. In addition to autonomous shuttles, the company is developing Robotaxi and other self-driving services for international markets.
In December 2025, WeRide partnered with Uber and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to launch an autonomous ride-hailing pilot in Dubai. The initial phase operates with onboard safety drivers, with plans to transition to fully driverless Robotaxi services in early 2026.
See also: WeRide CEO Says Only Three Firms Meet China’s Level 4 Robotaxi Standard
Separately, WeRide said in November 2025 that it had obtained a fully driverless Robotaxi operating permit from Swiss Federal Roads Office, allowing unmanned operation on public roads in the Furttal area of Zurich canton, the first such permit issued in Switzerland.
