WeRide's Robotaxi Receives Driverless Permit in Switzerland; Autonomous Vehicles Now Licensed in 8 Countries
Rhea-AI Summary
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) received a driverless Robotaxi permit from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office, authorizing autonomous passenger operations in the Furttal region and marking the company's permits in 8 countries (Switzerland, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, France, Belgium, United States).
The vehicles will serve a 110-kilometer area with about 460 stops, speeds up to 80 km/h, and will move from supervised testing to fully driverless operations once mileage benchmarks and regulatory checks are met, targeting a public launch in H1 2026. Remote monitoring will be provided by Eurobus.
Positive
- Driverless permit granted by Swiss Federal Roads Office
- Permits in 8 countries worldwide
- Planned service covers 110-km area with 460 stops
- Targeted fully driverless launch in H1 2026
- Remote monitoring partnership with Eurobus
Negative
- Currently in supervised testing with on-board safety driver
- Fully driverless operations contingent on meeting mileage benchmarks
- Public launch timing depends on successful regulatory cooperation
News Market Reaction 26 Alerts
On the day this news was published, WRD declined 1.12%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +5.3% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 26 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $31M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $2.70B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
ZURICH, Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800.HK), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, today announced that its Robotaxi has received a driverless permit from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), authorizing it to operate autonomously on public roads in the Furttal region. This is the first driverless Robotaxi permit (for passengers) issued in Switzerland.
With this approval, WeRide becomes the world's only company with vehicles holding autonomous driving permits in eight countries – Switzerland, China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, France, Belgium, and the United States – marking a major milestone in its global expansion.
Under this permit, WeRide Robotaxis may conduct fully driverless commercial operations as part of the “iamo” (Intelligent Automated Mobility) pilot once testing is complete. Led by the Swiss Transit Lab (STL) in collaboration with the Cantons of Zurich and Aargau and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), “iamo” aims to explore how autonomous vehicles (AVs) could be integrated into public transport systems to improve local mobility, strengthen last-mile connectivity, and promote more efficient, sustainable transport. The vehicles will serve a 110-kilometer operating area with around 460 stops at speeds of up to 80 km/h.
WeRide and its partners have begun AV testing with an on-board safety driver, in partnership with a local driving school, after completing extensive field preparations. Testing is underway across multiple locations in Furttal, including Boppelsen, Otelfingen, Buchs, Dänikon, Würenlos, Killwangen, Hüttikon, Dällikon, and Regensdorf. During this phase, the Robotaxis will complete adaptive driving sessions under varying traffic and weather conditions to ensure full compliance with Swiss road regulations.
Upon successful testing in cooperation with FEDRO, WeRide will begin fully driverless testing, with vehicles remotely monitored from a central support center operated by Eurobus, Switzerland's largest private bus company.
After achieving the necessary requirements, including mileage benchmarks, WeRide expects to launch fully driverless public passenger service in the first half of 2026, and subsequently expand the fleet to include Robobuses – establishing Switzerland's first mixed AV fleet of Robotaxis and Robobuses.
This development builds on WeRide’s growing presence in Switzerland. Since June 2025, Zurich Airport employees have been commuting between the airport head (Gate 101) and maintenance yard (Gate 103) using WeRide’s Robobus shuttle service. In October 2025, WeRide and Zurich Airport began training personnel for both rear-seat and remote Robobus cockpit operations, in preparation for fully driverless operations in the near future.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.
Media Contact
pr@weride.ai
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77829003-ce82-4033-b6d0-357695ce8381
FAQ
What did WeRide (WRD) receive from Swiss authorities on November 20, 2025?
When does WeRide expect to start fully driverless public service in Switzerland?
What area and operational scope will WeRide Robotaxis cover in Furttal under the permit?
How will WeRide monitor driverless Robotaxis in Switzerland?
Does WeRide already operate autonomous shuttles in Switzerland before this permit?
How many countries now license WeRide’s autonomous vehicles and which symbol represents the company?
