Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide gets approval to carry passengers in California

WeRide gets approval to test passenger-carrying robotaxis in California, aiming for a US IPO with a $5 billion valuation amidst national security discussions.

: WeRide has received permits to test its autonomous vehicles with passengers in California as it aims for a $5 billion IPO. The permits include both drivered and driverless pilot options, but do not yet allow for charging passengers. Despite a slow rollout and limited autonomous mileage compared to competitors, WeRide operates and tests across multiple countries and vehicle types.

WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, has been granted two permits from the California Public Utilities Commission to test its drivered and driverless vehicles with passengers in California. This comes as the company plans to go public in the U.S. with a nearly $5 billion valuation, amid considerations by the Commerce Department to ban Chinese connected vehicles due to national security concerns.

The permits allow WeRide to test on public roads in San Jose and nearby areas but do not permit charging passengers or offering the service to the general public. WeRide's slower rollout saw just 42,391 miles driven autonomously in 2023, a stark contrast to Waymo's 9 million miles, and the company has not disclosed detailed commercialization plans for California.

WeRide is active in 30 cities across seven countries, holding permits to operate in China, Singapore, the UAE, and the U.S. In addition to its robotaxi, the company is developing a robobus, robovan, robotic street sweeper, and ADAS for OEMs. The CPUC restricts the use of vehicles with fewer than 16 seats, possibly referring to WeRide's diverse vehicle types.

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