California Allows Chinese Robotaxi Startup to Test Vehicles with Passengers

China-based autonomous vehicle company WeRide has been authorized to test its driverless cars carrying passengers in California, marking a significant step as it gears up for a U.S. stock market debut with a valuation near $5 billion. This development emerges amid considerations by the U.S. Commerce Department to ban vehicles equipped with Chinese-developed systems due to national security concerns. This is prepared by SSP.

As of early August, WeRide holds two permits from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC): a drivered pilot permit and a driverless pilot permit. Both permits allow the company to test vehicles on public roads with passengers—either with a human safety driver behind the wheel or entirely driverless. However, these permits do not currently enable WeRide to charge fares or serve the general public.

Details on whether WeRide has commenced passenger transport remain undisclosed. A CPUC spokesperson confirmed that WeRide is cleared to test in San Jose and neighboring areas with 12 active vehicles on its equipment list.

WeRide has been autonomously testing without passengers in San Jose since 2021 following permissions from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The company's advancement has been gradual; it clocked only 42,391 autonomous miles in 2023 compared to Waymo’s 9 million miles.

Commercialization plans in California are scarce, but the CPUC permit suggests WeRide is limited to vehicles seating fewer than 16 people including the driver, hinting at various vehicle types besides its robotaxi fleet, such as its robobus, accommodating up to 10 passengers.

Operating in 30 cities across seven countries, WeRide prides itself as the first global company to hold such extensive testing and operational permits. Beyond public road autonomy in China, Singapore, the UAE, and the U.S., the company is also innovating with a robovan for deliveries, a robotic street sweeper, and ADAS for OEMs.

The journey toward developing and deploying robotaxis in the U.S. faces several barriers including regulatory challenges, opposition from city authorities, and public scrutiny. The competition remains fierce with Waymo—boasting 700 vehicles as the only U.S. firm charging for uncrewed rides—and GM's Cruise resuming tests with safety drivers following an accident involving one of its vehicles.