WeRide expands fully driverless robotaxi operations in Beijing after Middle East Uber deal
WeRide has secured approval to launch its latest generation Robotaxi, the GXR, for fully driverless ride-hailing services in Beijing.
This marks the second WeRide Robotaxi model to achieve commercial driverless operations in the Chinese capital, expanding its autonomous transport network.
The service area covers key regions within the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, including major railway stations. The GXR is also approved for highway operations, allowing trips to and from Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Following its initial deployment on the Uber platform in Abu Dhabi last December, this is the GXR’s first large-scale commercial rollout in China. The rapid approval, less than five months after its launch on 15 October 2024, highlights WeRide’s ability to bring autonomous driving technology to market at speed.
The GXR operates at an advanced L4 autonomy level, meaning no human driver is required under normal conditions. Built with a redundant drive-by-wire system, the vehicle offers an open-plan interior and a restructured B-pillar for wider access. It accommodates up to five passengers, with additional luggage space designed for airport and railway station journeys.
Passengers can book a ride using the WeRide Go app, available on major mobile platforms. The company’s global expansion has already integrated autonomous taxi services into daily transport networks in cities including Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ordos, Suzhou, Abu Dhabi, and beyond.
In 2024, WeRide partnered with Uber to launch the largest commercial Robotaxi fleet in the Middle East. The company now plans to introduce fully unmanned Robotaxi services in Zurich by mid-2025.
WeRide first launched driverless taxis in Beijing in June 2023. With the GXR’s commercial rollout, the company aims to scale operations to several hundred vehicles in the city by next year, bringing automated transport to a wider population.
Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide, said: "The commercial launch of Robotaxi GXR in Beijing represents a pivotal achievement for WeRide and the autonomous driving industry as a whole.
“By advancing from product launch to unmanned commercial operations in just four months, we’ve demonstrated that autonomous technology is ready to meet various transportation needs at scale. With this expansion, we continue to set the standard for autonomous mobility, making self-driving technology a reality for passengers everywhere."
