Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!
WeRide officially launched its commercial Robobus service in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone on September 10, 2024. This marks the second paid Robobus service in South China and the first in the Hengqin Cooperation Zone. Additionally, WeRide received approval to test its driverless Robobus without steering wheels or safety drivers in Hengqin, paving the way for fully driverless commercial operations.
Key Highlights
- WeRide launches commercial Robobus service in Hengqin on September 10, 2024.
- Second paid Robobus service in South China; first in Hengqin Cooperation Zone.
- Approval granted for testing driverless Robobus without steering wheels or safety drivers.
- Zero safety incidents and manual interventions during testing phase.
- Over 100,000 km driven autonomously; over 20,000 passengers served since July 2023.
- WeRide’s business model demonstrates maturity and replicability.
- Robobus operations in nearly 30 cities globally, including Guangzhou, Beijing, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.
The Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone is strategically located on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary, serving as a crucial link between Macao and mainland China. With its closest point to Macao being only 187 meters away, the cooperation zone plays a significant role in facilitating cross-border connectivity. As part of its “Smart City + Intelligent Transportation Industry” initiative, the zone has been collaborating with WeRide to enhance urban mobility.
Since July 2023, WeRide Robobus has been conducting passenger-carrying demonstration tests in the Hengqin Cooperation Zone. During this period, the autonomous vehicles have accumulated over 100,000 kilometers of autonomous driving and have served more than 20,000 passengers. The service has consistently provided residents and tourists from Guangdong and Macao with convenient, green, and intelligent transportation options.
The recent approval for regular road tests of the driverless Robobus without steering wheels or safety drivers is a significant milestone. During testing, the Robobus achieved zero safety incidents and required no manual interventions, highlighting the maturity and reliability of WeRide’s autonomous driving technology. This development lays a solid foundation for the future implementation of fully driverless commercial operations in the region.
The commercial launch in Hengqin follows WeRide’s previous success in Guangzhou. On December 30, 2023, in partnership with Guangzhou Bus Group, WeRide introduced the nation’s first commercial paid operation service for Robobus, which now operates on ten routes. The continuous expansion into new markets reaffirms the scalability and effectiveness of WeRide’s business model, demonstrating remarkable progress in commercialization efforts.
Globally, WeRide Robobus has conducted road tests and operations in nearly 30 cities, including major hubs like Guangzhou, Beijing, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. The company remains committed to extending its safe, convenient, and intelligent autonomous driving services to more regions and communities worldwide.
By integrating advanced autonomous technology into urban transportation, WeRide is actively contributing to the development of smart cities and sustainable mobility solutions. The company’s ongoing initiatives in the Hengqin Cooperation Zone and beyond signify a significant step toward the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in daily life.
Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!
