Barcelona—Signaling the growing maturity and ambition of autonomous vehicle technology, WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving, and Renault Group have launched their first autonomous Robobus trial in the bustling center of Barcelona.
Backed by early investors like Nvidia, WeRide aims to revolutionize transportation with its technology. It views driving as a potentially tedious job that can be replaced by machines, allowing humans to focus on more fulfilling endeavors.
This initiative, which commenced on March 10 and will run until March 14, aims to demonstrate the potential of driverless public transport in a dense and complex urban environment for the first time in Spain.
The experimental Robobus operates on a circular route exceeding two kilometers, navigating Barcelona’s real traffic conditions. The service runs from 11:00 to 17:00 daily, offering riders a unique opportunity to experience autonomous driving firsthand.
The route includes four designated stops, allowing passengers to comfortably board and disembark. These stops provide a glimpse into the future of urban mobility while touring the city.
This trial has received the necessary authorization from the Barcelona City Council and the Directorate General of Traffic, underscoring the collaborative efforts to explore innovative transportation solutions.
“This Barcelona trial represents a pivotal moment in WeRide’s international expansion strategy, demonstrating our technology leadership beyond Asian markets and into the heart of Europe,” stated Tony Han, founder & CEO at WeRide. “By bringing our Level-4 autonomous Robobus to navigate Barcelona’s complex urban environment in real traffic conditions, we’re showcasing not just the maturity of our technology but its adaptability to diverse global settings. This collaboration with Renault Group underscores our shared vision for making smart, sustainable mobility solutions accessible worldwide”.
This venture in Barcelona follows other significant steps WeRide has taken in the European market, highlighting its determined push for global commercialization of its autonomous driving technology.
European expansion
Last month, WeRide announced its first fully driverless commercial deployment of its Robobus in Europe as part of a shuttle service partnership with beti, Renault Group, and Macif in France’s Drôme region. This L4-level automated mobility service, which began operations on March 10 at the Rovaltain business park near the Valence TGV station, utilizes several six-meter-long robobuses, each capable of carrying eight passengers and operated by Beti Automated Mobility.
The collaboration in France represents an “unprecedented collaboration” aimed at revolutionizing public transportation by making it safer, more efficient, and more comfortable.
Earlier, Tony Han emphasized that developing autonomous driving technology aims to upgrade public transportation services for all human societies, particularly in aging societies facing bus driver shortages. The service in the Drôme region connects the train station, long-term parking, and around 150 companies in the business park, addressing key mobility needs for commuters and visitors.
Notably, this deployment is fully driverless, showcasing WeRide’s advanced L4 automation capabilities, which enable speeds up to 40km/h and dynamic obstacle avoidance.
Before the commercial launch in the Drôme region, WeRide and Renault Group also experimented with their autonomous vehicles during the Roland-Garros 2024 tennis tournament.
Furthermore, WeRide announced its first commercial autonomous shuttle project in Europe at Zurich Airport in January 2025. Swiss national railway Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB) chose WeRide as the technology supplier for an autonomous driving pilot project. These initiatives underscore WeRide’s expanding footprint and growing recognition in the European autonomous mobility landscape.
Commercial operation in China
While making significant strides in Europe, WeRide has also been actively expanding its commercial operations in its home market of China. In a notable development announced on March 13, 2025, WeRide officially received a permit to conduct commercial Robotaxi ride-hailing services between the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) and Beijing South Railway Station.
This marks the first commercial Robotaxi operation covering Beijing’s core urban area, expanding WeRide’s operational area to over 600 square kilometers. Passengers can now easily book a Robotaxi using the “WeRide Go” app.
Beijing South Railway Station, one of Asia’s largest and busiest rail hubs, presents a complex and high-density traffic scenario, and the approval for commercial operations there validates the reliability and safety of WeRide’s Robotaxi technology.
WeRide has already launched regular Robotaxi operations in nearly ten cities worldwide, including Guangzhou, Beijing, Nanjing, Ordos, Suzhou, Abu Dhabi, and Zurich, demonstrating its global reach and operational experience. The partnership with Uber in Abu Dhabi to launch the largest Robotaxi fleet in the Middle East further highlights WeRide’s commitment to large-scale commercialization.
The lure of fully autonomous driving
Tony Han believes that autonomous driving technology has the potential to “illuminate” the world like the invention of the light bulb, emphasizing its transformative societal impact. WeRide’s philosophy involves complying with local regulations and contributing to the economic development of the local societies where it operates.
Addressing concerns about job displacement due to autonomous vehicles, Tony Han views it as a “migration or shift of human jobs,” similar to historical technological advancements. He suggests that while some jobs, like taxi driving, may be replaced, new, more enjoyable jobs, such as in the labeling business or elder care, will emerge. He also points out that in many aging societies, the immediate problem is not a lack of jobs but a shortage of bus and taxi drivers, which autonomous driving technology can help solve.
WeRide’s focus on aging societies with relatively high taxi driver salaries aligns with its target markets. To achieve growth in these regions, the company is prioritizing making its technology safer and the autonomous driving experience more comfortable.
The concurrent trials in Europe and expanding commercial services in China demonstrate WeRide’s comprehensive strategy for global leadership in the autonomous driving industry.
The Barcelona Robobus trial, while a short-term demonstration, serves as a crucial step in showcasing the technology’s adaptability and maturity in diverse urban environments, paving the way for broader adoption and a future where autonomous mobility plays a significant role in shaping urban landscapes and transportation networks.
As autonomous services continue to navigate regulatory landscapes and forge strategic partnerships, its vision of safer, more efficient, and more comfortable transportation for all edges is closer to reality.
