WeRide Gets Permission From California For Robotaxi Trial With Passengers

JAKARTA - A Chinese startup engaged in an autonomous vehicle, WeRide, has received approval from the state of California to test driverless vehicles with passengers. This permit is granted by the state's utility regulator.

The move comes as WeRide is seeking a valuation of up to $5 billion from the IPO in New York, although the United States plans to ban vehicles with a system developed in China, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Permits from the California Public Utilities Commission (CLUC) issued earlier this month were valid for three years, allowing WeRide to transport passengers in test vehicles with or without drivers. However, WeRide is not allowed to offer services to the public and should not impose travel costs.

According to a CPUC statement, WeRide currently has 12 active vehicles and will operate in San Jose and its surroundings.

Developing and commercializing robotaxi in the United States proved to be more difficult than expected, with regulatory barriers, rejections from city agencies, and protests from the public.

Alphabet's Waymo, which has about 700 vehicles in its fleet, is the only company in the United States that operates unmanned robotaxi that already charges travel costs.

Cruise of General Motors, which had stopped trials after one of its vehicles hit a pedestrian last year, is now restarting testing with safety drivers in April.

WeRide, founded in 2017, first obtained permission from California to test its vehicles without passengers in 2021. The company also produces autonomous vans, buses and road sweepers, as well as has driverless vehicle operations permits in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.