WeRide has announced the launch of its first fully driverless commercial Robobus service in Europe, in partnership with beti, Renault Group, and Macif. The Level 4 autonomous shuttle service, set to begin on March 10, will operate in France’s Drôme region, linking the Rovaltain business park with the Valence TGV station.
“This milestone underscores our commitment to bringing L4 autonomous mobility solutions to global markets,” said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide. “Our collaboration with beti enables us to leverage our expertise from deployments in China, Singapore, and the Middle East to establish a sustainable and efficient transport solution in Europe.”
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The WeRide Robobus, a six-meter-long autonomous shuttle, can carry up to eight passengers and will operate on a 3.3 km route through mixed traffic, connecting key business and transport hubs. The service is designed to offer a low-carbon last-mile transport alternative, reducing dependency on private vehicles.
Benjamin Beaudet, CEO of beti, highlighted the role of the company’s “hypervision” system, which enhances safety by providing continuous monitoring and system improvements. Patrick Vergelas, Head of Autonomous Mobility Projects at Renault Group, added, “Following successful trials, this marks the beginning of a new era of passenger transport using automated shuttles in Valence.”
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The initial phase of operations will run from March 10 to April 19, testing service reliability and passenger response. A broader rollout is expected in July, further advancing WeRide’s vision for autonomous urban mobility.