WeRide Speeds Smart Logistics Commercialization with First Driverless Road Testing License for Robovan in Guangzhou

Rhea-AI Summary

WeRide has achieved a significant milestone by receiving Guangzhou's first driverless road testing license for its Robovan W5 autonomous logistics vehicle. The license was granted during the unveiling ceremony of Guangzhou Nansha District's Autonomous Driving Test Base and Smart Transportation Demonstration Zone.

The Robovan W5, designed for urban freight and express delivery, features:

• Industry-leading L4 autonomous driving technology
• Largest cargo capacity in its class (5.5m³)
• Driving range of 220km
• Modular cargo space for flexible storage
• Multi-vehicle fleet management capabilities

This development follows Nansha District's introduction of trial safety guidelines for autonomous vehicle testing in Q1 2025. WeRide's selection for the first batch of licenses builds on its 6-year Robotaxi operational experience, positioning the company to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous logistics vehicles.

Positive

• First company to receive driverless road testing license in Guangzhou Nansha District, gaining competitive advantage
• Robovan W5 offers largest cargo capacity (5.5m³) in its class with 220km range, enabling efficient logistics operations
• 6 years of Robotaxi operational experience demonstrates proven track record in autonomous technology
• Multi-vehicle fleet management capability allows single-operator efficiency for large-scale operations
• Modular cargo space design enables diverse revenue streams across express delivery, urban logistics, and point-to-point services

Negative

• Still in testing phase, not yet generating commercial revenue from autonomous logistics
• Limited to one district's roads initially, restricting immediate scalability
• Potential high operational costs during testing phase without immediate revenue offset

Insights

Technology Analyst

WeRide's first driverless testing license accelerates commercialization timeline and validates their autonomous technology in the logistics sector.

WeRide has secured a significant regulatory milestone by obtaining the first batch of driverless road testing licenses in Guangzhou's Nansha District. This development directly validates their autonomous driving technology and provides them with a first-mover advantage in the regional market.

The Robovan W5 leverages WeRide's nearly 6 years of Robotaxi operational experience, demonstrating successful technology transfer from passenger to logistics applications. The vehicle's specifications are particularly impressive for urban logistics: 5.5m³ cargo capacity (identified as the largest in its class) and 220km driving range - sufficient for typical urban delivery routes.

The L4 autonomous capability combined with the multi-vehicle fleet management system allows a single operator to coordinate multiple vehicles simultaneously. This architecture is specifically designed for scalability, which is crucial for eventual commercial deployment in logistics operations.

This testing license removes a key regulatory barrier on WeRide's path to commercialization in the autonomous logistics space. While still in the testing phase rather than full commercial deployment, this approval enables WeRide to expand testing scope and scenarios, accelerating their progress toward providing autonomous logistics solutions to customers.

Logistics Expert

WeRide's Robovan advances urban logistics with superior cargo capacity and fleet management, addressing critical industry inefficiencies.

The authorization for WeRide's driverless Robovan W5 testing represents a significant advancement for urban logistics automation. The modular cargo design with 5.5m³ capacity provides operational flexibility across multiple delivery scenarios from express packages to larger urban freight needs.

From an operations perspective, the most compelling feature is the multi-vehicle fleet management capability. This technology directly addresses the persistent driver shortage by allowing a single operator to coordinate a large fleet, fundamentally improving the labor economics of urban delivery operations.

The 220km driving range is particularly well-suited for urban logistics applications, where daily routes typically fall within this threshold. The vehicle's design clearly prioritizes the specific requirements of urban freight movement rather than simply adapting passenger vehicle platforms.

This license enables WeRide to validate their technology across various point-to-point logistics applications including express delivery and urban freight. By accelerating the path toward large-scale commercialization of L4 driverless logistics vehicles, WeRide is positioning itself to deliver operational efficiencies in an industry struggling with labor constraints and increasing delivery demands.

GUANGZHOU, China, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The unveiling ceremony for Guangzhou Nansha District's Autonomous Driving Test Base and Smart Transportation Demonstration Zone was held today in Mingzhu Bay. At the event, WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, received the district's first batch of driverless road testing licenses, authorizing its Robovan W5 for driverless testing on public roads.

This marks the first time such licenses are granted in Guangzhou since Nansha District introduced its trial safety guidelines for autonomous vehicle road testing in the first quarter of 2025. With its technological leadership and strong operational foundation, WeRide is among the first to receive the license, accelerating its move toward the large-scale commercialization of autonomous logistics vehicles.

WeRide Robovan W5 is designed for urban freight, including express delivery, urban logistics, and various point-to-point logistics applications. Drawing on WeRide's nearly 6 years of Robotaxi operational experience, it uses industry-leading L4 autonomous driving technology to ensure safety and reliability during public road testing and operations.

Designed with scalability and cost-efficiency in mind, the Robovan W5 offers the largest cargo capacity in its class (5.5m³) and a driving range of up to 220km. Its modular cargo space supports flexible storage configurations to meet various urban freight needs. Operationally, the Robovan W5 enables multi-vehicle fleet management, allowing a single operator to easily coordinate a large fleet.

Looking ahead, WeRide will continue to expand the testing scope and scenarios for its autonomous logistics vehicles, accelerating the large-scale commercialization of L4 driverless logistics vehicles, and providing safe, reliable, and efficient logistics solutions to customers.

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. The company operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries, holding driverless permits in China, the UAE, Singapore, France and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services that address a vast array of transportation needs across a diverse range of urban use cases across mobility, logistics, and sanitation. WeRide was named in Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list.

Contact

Press inquiries: pr@weride.ai

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1360866-8e1a-4767-a4bb-7b1095c45610

FAQ

What autonomous driving license did WeRide (WRD) receive in Guangzhou in April 2025?

WeRide received Guangzhou Nansha District's first driverless road testing license for its Robovan W5, allowing autonomous testing on public roads. This is the first such license granted since Nansha's Q1 2025 safety guidelines.

What are the key features of WeRide's Robovan W5 autonomous vehicle?

The Robovan W5 features L4 autonomous driving technology, 5.5m³ cargo capacity (largest in its class), 220km driving range, modular cargo space, and multi-vehicle fleet management capabilities for urban freight and express delivery.

How will WeRide's driverless testing license impact its commercial logistics operations?

The license accelerates WeRide's path toward large-scale commercialization of autonomous logistics vehicles, enabling the company to expand testing scope and provide safe, reliable, and efficient logistics solutions.

What experience does WeRide have in autonomous vehicle operations?

WeRide brings nearly 6 years of Robotaxi operational experience to its autonomous logistics vehicles, applying this expertise to ensure safety and reliability during public road testing and operations.

Where will WeRide conduct its autonomous vehicle testing in Guangzhou?

WeRide will conduct its autonomous vehicle testing at the Guangzhou Nansha District's Autonomous Driving Test Base and Smart Transportation Demonstration Zone, located in Mingzhu Bay.