WeRide and Renault Group have kicked off their first autonomous Robobus trial in Spain, offering a glimpse into the future of urban mobility. The trial, which runs from March 10th to 14th in central Barcelona, marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous public transport.
The free trial service is designed to showcase the maturity and potential of automated transport technologies in a dense and complex urban environment. By operating in real traffic conditions, the demonstration highlights WeRide and Renault Group’s commitment to enabling agile, flexible, modern, and eco-friendly mobility solutions—particularly in European cities aiming for carbon neutrality and Low Emission Zones.
This Barcelona trial marks WeRide and Renault Group’s first test of their Level-4 autonomous vehicle for public transport in Spain. The initiative follows previous experiments carried out during the Roland-Garros 2024 tennis tournament, further demonstrating the partners’ dedication to pushing the boundaries of autonomous mobility.
“This Barcelona trial represents a pivotal moment in WeRide’s international expansion strategy, demonstrating our technology leadership beyond Asian markets and into the heart of Europe,” said Tony Han, founder & CEO at WeRide. “By bringing our Level-4 autonomous Robobus to navigate Barcelona’s complex urban environment in real traffic conditions, we’re showcasing not just the maturity of our technology, but its adaptability to diverse global settings. This collaboration with Renault Group underscores our shared vision for making smart, sustainable mobility solutions accessible worldwide.”
The Barcelona Robobus project builds on WeRide’s recent European milestones. Last month, the company announced the first fully driverless commercial deployment of its Robobus in France’s Dôme region in partnership with beti, Renault Group, and Macif. In January, WeRide launched its first commercial autonomous shuttle project at Zurich Airport and was also selected as the technology supplier for a Swiss national railway (SBB) pilot project on autonomous driving.
A Hands-On Autonomous Experience for the Public
The Robobus trial in Barcelona is fully authorised by the city council and Spain’s Directorate General of Traffic. The vehicle will operate daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on a circular route of more than two kilometers, offering passengers a unique opportunity to experience autonomous transport firsthand.
With four designated stops along the route, passengers will be able to board and alight comfortably, allowing them to witness the seamless operation of autonomous driving technology in an urban setting.
