California Grants Approval for Chinese Autonomous Vehicle Company WeRide to Conduct Passenger Testing
WeRide secures approval from California to conduct passenger testing in its autonomous vehicles. The permit allows WeRide to operate test vehicles with or without a driver for a period of three years. WeRide is restricted from offering rides to the general public or imposing fares during the testing phase.
This development aligns with the company's ambitions to achieve a valuation of up to US$5 billion through its upcoming IPO in New York, despite the impending U.S. prohibition on vehicles equipped with Chinese-developed systems, as disclosed by individuals familiar with the situation.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently granted WeRide a three-year permit, enabling the company to transport passengers in test vehicles both with and without a driver present. However, WeRide is prohibited from providing services to the general public or levying any charges for the rides. The CPUC stated that WeRide, which now operates 12 active vehicles, will undertake its testing in San Jose and the neighbouring areas.
The voyage to create and introduce robotaxis in the United States has proven to be more difficult than anticipated, with regulatory roadblocks, opposition from city officials, and public displeasure. Notably, Alphabet's Waymo, which has a fleet of over 700 vehicles, is the only American company that offers revenue-generating driverless robotaxis. Meanwhile, General Motors' Cruise began testing with safety drivers in April, following a pedestrian collision with one of its vehicles the year before.
WeRide, founded in 2017, first got permits from California in 2021 to test its vehicles without passengers. In addition to its primary focus on autonomous driving, WeRide makes self-driving vans, buses, and street sweepers, and holds driverless permits in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
WeRide secures approval from California to conduct passenger testing in its autonomous vehicles.
The permit allows WeRide to operate test vehicles with or without a driver for a period of three years.
WeRide is restricted from offering rides to the general public or imposing fares during the testing phase.
Source: REUTERS