WeRide secures approval for late-night Robotaxi testing in Beijing, enhancing autonomous ride-hailing capabilities.
Quiver AI Summary
WeRide, a leading company in autonomous driving technology, has received approval to test its Robotaxi on public roads in Beijing between 10pm and 7am, a significant step toward establishing a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network. This testing aims to address the challenges posed by complex night-time road conditions, such as low visibility and adverse weather, by utilizing a system equipped with over 20 sensors and a proprietary multi-sensor fusion algorithm for effective operation. The approval is expected to enhance public transportation availability during off-peak hours and is backed by WeRide's extensive experience operating in multiple cities worldwide. With this initiative, WeRide aims to further develop its autonomous driving technologies and contribute to smarter urban mobility solutions.
Potential Positives
- WeRide has received approval for late-night testing of its Robotaxi in Beijing, marking a significant step towards establishing a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network.
- The comprehensive sensor suite and advanced algorithms utilized by WeRide ensure safe and effective operation in challenging night-time and adverse weather conditions, validating the company's technology and safety systems.
- This initiative addresses public transportation gaps during off-peak hours, enhancing vehicle availability in less frequented areas, and promoting smarter urban mobility solutions.
- WeRide's growing operational footprint, with testing in 10 cities across four countries, underscores its position as a global leader in the autonomous driving industry and showcases its extensive experience.
Potential Negatives
- Testing autonomous vehicles during late-night hours in challenging conditions may highlight potential safety risks, raising concerns about the reliability and effectiveness of the technology in real-world scenarios.
- The complexity of night-time road conditions could lead to negative public perception regarding the safety of WeRide's autonomous vehicles, particularly if issues arise during testing.
- The use of multiple advanced sensors and technology to address visibility and environmental challenges could imply that the current capabilities are not yet fully reliable, hinting at potential shortcomings in the existing system.
FAQ
What is WeRide's recent milestone in autonomous driving technology?
WeRide has received approval for night-time testing of its Robotaxi in Beijing, conducting operations from 10pm to 7am.
How many sensors does WeRide's Robotaxi have?
WeRide's Robotaxi is equipped with over 20 sensors, including high-precision cameras and LiDARs for enhanced safety and perception.
What challenges does night-time driving present for autonomous vehicles?
Night-time driving presents challenges like low lighting, environmental interference, and the need for effective sensor fusion to identify obstacles.
In how many cities has WeRide conducted Robotaxi testing?
WeRide has conducted Robotaxi testing or operations in 10 cities across four countries, accumulating extensive safe driving experience.
What future plans does WeRide have for its ride-hailing services?
WeRide plans to grow its ride-hailing services by leveraging its autonomous driving technology and safety systems for urban mobility solutions.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
Full Release
BEIJING, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has received approval to conduct late-night testing of its Robotaxi on public roads within the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone from 10pm to 7am. This milestone marks a crucial step for WeRide in building a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in Beijing, laying the groundwork for all-weather, all-day autonomous mobility services.
Beijing's complex night-time road conditions, characterized by low lighting, environmental interference, and heavy rain in the summer and snow in the winter, pose significant challenges for autonomous driving systems. These conditions place heightened demand on the perception, decision-making, and control capabilities, especially in maintaining effective sensor fusion between LiDAR and cameras under low-light conditions, accurately identifying pedestrians at night, and executing timely responses.
To address potential visibility issues at night, WeRide's Robotaxi is equipped with more than 20 sensors, including high-precision, high-dynamic cameras and high-line LiDARs across the vehicle. Combined with its proprietary multi-sensor fusion algorithm and HPC high-performance computing platform, the system achieves 360-degree blind-spot-free coverage of up to 200 meters detection range. This ensures stable perception and rapid decision-making even under poor lighting or adverse weather, enabling safe, continuous night-time operations.
Extreme weather conditions such as rain, dust, and heavy snow pose challenges to autonomous driving stability as well. WeRide utilizes automotive-grade sensors, stringent assembly processes, and a self-developed smart sensor cleaning system that detects dirt and moisture and triggers automatic cleaning — ensuring accurate, reliable perception in all environmental conditions.
As a global leader in Robotaxi area, WeRide has conducted Robotaxi testing or operations in 10 cities across four countries, accumulating over 2,200 days of open-road safe experience. In May 2025, WeRide launched China’s first 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in a Tier-1 city, Guangzhou, gaining extensive full-day, all-scenario operational experience.
WeRide's Robotaxi GXR undergoing night testing in Beijing
The launch of 24/7 Robotaxi autonomous driving testing in Beijing marks a key milestone in validating WeRide’s technology and safety systems. It also helps address gaps in public transportation during off-peak hours, such as late nights and early mornings, by improving vehicle availability in less frequented times and remote areas.
Looking ahead, WeRide will continue to leverage its proprietary full-stack autonomous driving technology and safety systems to grow its ride-hailing services, supporting the development of smarter, more sustainable city transportation.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 10 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in six markets: China, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named in Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list.
Media Contact
[email protected]
Safe Harbor Statement
This Report (including its exhibit) contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this Report is as of the date of this Report. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
A photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0cd10556-5b4a-4f03-b2f2-6739d7aa1685