WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle specialist has become the first autonomous company to start fully driverless vehicle testing in China, as the world’s biggest auto market accelerates development of autonomous technologies.
Three-year-old WeRide, backed by Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi, said started tests this week on open roads in a designated area of Guangzhou after the southern Chinese city granted permission. The company said it would use a remote centre to take control of their vehicles if needed.
WeRide is pursuing a level 4 autonomous standard, in which the car can handle all aspects of driving in most circumstances with no human intervention. It said its driverless testing fleet comprises 10 Lincoln MKZ sedans. The company also operates a fleet of more than 40 autonomous taxis and 60 test cars.
