Self-Driving Taxis Starting in SwitzerlandSelf-Driving Taxis Starting in Switzerland
Services aims at providing first and last-mile connectivity in suburban areas, complementing the rail network
Self-driving company WeRide is again breaking new ground in Europe in an innovative project getting its Robotaxi and Robobus vehicles in service on public roads.
The pilot project is being launched in Switzerland in tandem with the national railway Schweizerische Bundesbahnen and the Swiss Transit Lab and is aimed at providing first and last-mile connectivity in suburban areas, complementing the country’s extensive rail network.
It is the first instance of a self-driving taxi being used for this type of program in Switzerland and possibly in Europe, and comes one week after it was revealed that the firm’s Robobus would be used for a pioneering shuttle project at Zurich Airport.
As in the U.S., the service will be introduced gradually, with two Robotaxis – Nissan Ariya EVs fitted with WeRide’s self-driving technology – being used in the initial test phase.
This will grow to four in the second half of 2025, when operations are scheduled to begin properly, and the program is expected to be bolstered again next year with the addition of another eight autonomous vehicles (AVs). According to WeRide: “The fleet will [then] be further expanded in future phases.”
WeRide also stated that the AVs “will operate in a fully unmanned mode for up to five years,” but it would appear that this may not be the case from the outset. Instead, a spokesperson said: “We are collaborating closely with the local regulators to move forward in this direction.”
Swiss Transis Lab plans to manage the project, which is being part-funded by the Canton of Zurich, and the area covered will take in the Furttal Region. Pilot operations begin in Otelfingen, Boppelsen, Hüttikon and Dänikon, with plans to extend the test area to Buchs, Dällikon and Regensdorf.
Residents of these areas would be able to book the AVs via an app supplied by Ioki, a German company that is well established providing digital services and products for public transport in Europe.
The new pilot is geared towards adding to the transit options in quieter suburban zones. While Swiss residents are apparently the highest users of trains in Europe, some outlying stations are not especially well served by additional travel options, and it is expected the deployment of AVs would help to address this shortfall.
Coming so soon after the launch of WeRide’s project at Zurich Airport, the service marks another coup for the company given that its initial pilot in Europe was only last summer, when it worked with Renault to provide an autonomous shuttle service at the French Open tennis in Paris.
WeRide founder and CEO Tony Han said: “The launch of the Swiss public transportation service pilot project demonstrates WeRide’s commitment to expanding autonomous driving solutions in Europe.
“We are bringing leading L4 autonomous driving technology and mature solutions to local towns in Switzerland, not only providing practical assistance to complement the local public transportation network and improve travel efficiency for residents, but also accumulating valuable experience for exploring the widespread application of intelligent transportation in Europe.”
The Swiss initiative further underscores WeRide’s efforts to increase operations outside China, following the launch of services in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.
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