California Is Allowing A Chinese Robotaxi Firm To Test Driverless Vehicles

China-based autonomous driving company WeRide has taken a step forward in its U.S. expansion efforts, gaining a three-year permit from California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to test its driverless vehicles with passengers.

WeRide will conduct tests of its driverless vehicles in San Jose and the surrounding areas. The company, however, is still subject to certain limitations; it is prohibited from offering rides to the general public and cannot charge fares during these test operations.

Despite several obstacles, WeRide, which already has a fleet of 12 operating vehicles, has been improving its autonomous driving technology significantly. Tough legal restrictions, resistance from regional government organizations, and public worries about the safety and potential effects of driverless cars are some of the challenges involved.

Despite these challenges, WeRide keeps moving forward to increase its visibility and market share. With a possible worth of up to $5 billion, the company is preparing for an IPO in New York. U.S. authorities are closely monitoring this move and may impose limitations on cars that use technologies produced in China.

In 2021, WeRide started testing its autonomous vehicles in California after obtaining authorization to do so. Since its founding in 2017, the business has expanded to include autonomous buses, vans, and street sweepers. In other international markets, such as Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, it also holds driverless permits.

WeRide is branding itself as one of the many businesses vying for market share in the very competitive autonomous driving sector. WeRide’s recent successes indicate that it wants to establish a substantial position in the sector, even though Waymo, owned by Alphabet, is still the only American business currently running an unmanned robotaxis that collects fares.