BRIEF: WeRide launches 24-hour robotaxi service in Guangzhou

Robotaxi operator WeRide (WRD.US) on Wednesday said it launched China’s first 24-hour robotaxi network covering the core areas of a major tier-one city, starting with eight pilot routes in downtown Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong province. The company said the move marks a significant milestone in its path toward large-scale commercialization.

The new network covers major Guangzhou landmarks and transportation hubs such as its Canton Tower, Baiyun International Airport, and the city’s South Railway Station. Users can book rides through the WeRide Go app, with the service available around the clock. The company said this is the first 24-hour robotaxi network to fully serve the core urban area of a top-tier Chinese city. WeRide also operates robotaxi services in eight cities across the Middle East and Europe.

According to Caixin, Baidu’s (BIDU.US; 9888.HK) Apollo Go autonomous driving unit has achieved all-day robotaxi operations in most areas of Wuhan, capital of Central China’s Hubei province. But it has yet to cover a first-tier city like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Pony AI (PONY.US) began operating robotaxi routes between downtown Guangzhou and major transit hubs in February, though its service does not cover late-night hours.

By Lee Shih Ta

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