Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide can now carry passengers in California 

Another Chinese start-up has received permission to carry passengers with their autonomous robotaxi in California.

The autonomous driving start-up WeRide received permission from the California Public Utilities Commission to use passenger-carrying driverless vehicles.

And it’s not the only Chinese start-up to have this opportunity.

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Chinese autonomous robotaxi

WeRide getting permission to test their autonomous robotaxi with passengers in California is good progress for the entire industry.

The permit enables WeRide to provide rides in some districts of San Jose and its nearby area, with and without safety drivers.

However, the permit does not allow WeRide to offer the service to the general public or charge fares.

Fortunately, it’s not the only Chinese start-up to receive such permission.

Waymo is another Chinese start-up that has been operating robotaxis in San Francisco for years now.

These kinds of permits allow these companies to test their services and work toward their ultimate goal of providing a commercial autonomous robotaxi service.

Tesla is also trying to build their own robotaxi service based on their autopilot and full self-driving feature.

Fortunately, WeRide has already been testing autonomous cars on the roads of San Jose since 2021.

Of course, by comparison, Waymo has way more autonomous cars and more reach in the US.

However, the American flying car industry is still an open frontier waiting for its pioneers.

WeRide ambitions

This development comes just ahead of WeRide’s plan to go public.

The company is seeking an IPO at a $5 billion evaluation and expects to raise around $93 million in proceeds. 

It seems they are leveraging their ability to pass the rigorous U.S. safety standards to garner more visibility before its IPO.

WeRide mainly operates in California, since the state has been instrumental in producing self-driving cars.

Their activities in California are indicative of the continuing shift in the autonomous driving industry.