WeRide Chosen Technology Supplier for New Pilot Project on Autonomous Driving in Switzerland
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) has been selected as the technology provider for a new autonomous driving pilot project in Switzerland, funded by the Canton of Zurich and Swiss national railway (SBB) and managed by Swiss Transit Lab. The project will initially deploy two autonomous cars during the test phase, expanding to four cars in Q2 2025, with plans for eight additional vehicles in 2026.
The service will operate in Switzerland's Furttal Region, where residents can book autonomous vehicles through an app provided by ioki. The project aims to address transportation options in suburban areas, complementing Switzerland's extensive train network, which serves as the primary connection between major cities.
This marks WeRide's third European project within eight months, following the launch of Europe's first commercial autonomous minibus project at Zurich Airport and L4 autonomous shuttle services at the 2024 French Open in Paris. The fully unmanned operation is planned to run for up to five years.
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) è stato selezionato come fornitore di tecnologia per un nuovo progetto pilota di guida autonoma in Svizzera, finanziato dal Cantone di Zurigo e dalle ferrovie nazionali svizzere (SBB) e gestito dal Swiss Transit Lab. Il progetto implementerà inizialmente due auto autonome durante la fase di test, per poi espandersi a quattro veicoli nel secondo trimestre del 2025, con piani per otto ulteriori veicoli nel 2026.
Il servizio opererà nella Regione di Furttal in Svizzera, dove i residenti possono prenotare veicoli autonomi tramite un'app fornita da ioki. Il progetto mira a migliorare le opzioni di trasporto nelle aree suburbane, integrando la rete ferroviaria svizzera, che rappresenta la principale connessione tra le città maggiori.
Questo segna il terzo progetto europeo di WeRide in otto mesi, dopo il lancio del primo progetto commerciale di minibus autonomo in Europa all'Aeroporto di Zurigo e dei servizi navetta L4 autonomi durante il Roland Garros 2024 a Parigi. L'operazione completamente senza conducente è prevista per durare fino a cinque anni.
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) ha sido seleccionado como proveedor de tecnología para un nuevo proyecto piloto de conducción autónoma en Suiza, financiado por el Cantón de Zúrich y los ferrocarriles nacionales suizos (SBB) y gestionado por Swiss Transit Lab. El proyecto desplegará inicialmente dos coches autónomos durante la fase de prueba, expandiéndose a cuatro coches en el segundo trimestre de 2025, con planes de añadir ocho vehículos más en 2026.
El servicio operará en la Región de Furttal en Suiza, donde los residentes pueden reservar vehículos autónomos a través de una aplicación proporcionada por ioki. El proyecto busca mejorar las opciones de transporte en áreas suburbanas, complementando la extensa red de trenes de Suiza, que sirve como la conexión principal entre las principales ciudades.
Este es el tercer proyecto europeo de WeRide en ocho meses, después del lanzamiento del primer proyecto comercial de minibus autónomo en Europa en el Aeropuerto de Zúrich y de los servicios de lanzadera L4 autónomos en el Abierto de Francia 2024 en París. Se prevé que la operación completamente desocupada funcione durante hasta cinco años.
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD)는 취리히 주와 스위스 국철(SBB)에서 자금을 지원하고 스위스 교통 연구소에서 관리하는 새로운 자율주행 파일럿 프로젝트의 기술 공급자로 선정되었습니다. 이 프로젝트는 초기 테스트 단계에서 두 대의 자율차를 배포하고 2025년 2분기에는 네 대로 확대하며, 2026년에는 여덟 대의 추가 차량도 계획하고 있습니다.
해당 서비스는 스위스의 푸르탈 지역에서 운영되며, 주민들은 ioki에서 제공하는 앱을 통해 자율 차량을 예약할 수 있습니다. 이 프로젝트의 목표는 교외 지역의 교통 옵션을 강화하여 스위스의 광범위한 기차 네트워크를 보완하는 것입니다. 이 네트워크는 주요 도시들 간의 주요 연결 수단 역할을 합니다.
이는 WeRide의 여덟 달 안에 세 번째 유럽 프로젝트로, 취리히 공항에서 유럽 최초의 상업 자율 미니버스 프로젝트와 2024 프랑스 오픈에서 L4 자율 셔틀 서비스를 론칭한 이후입니다. 완전 무인 운영은 최대 5년 동안 진행될 예정입니다.
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) a été sélectionné comme fournisseur de technologie pour un nouveau projet pilote de conduite autonome en Suisse, financé par le canton de Zurich et les Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses (CFF), et géré par le Swiss Transit Lab. Le projet déploiera initialement deux voitures autonomes pendant la phase de test, puis s'élargira à quatre voitures au deuxième trimestre 2025, avec des projets d'ajouter huit véhicules supplémentaires en 2026.
Le service opèrera dans la région de Furttal en Suisse, où les résidents pourront réserver des véhicules autonomes grâce à une application fournie par ioki. Le projet vise à améliorer les options de transport dans les zones suburbaines, en complément du vaste réseau ferroviaire suisse, qui sert de principale connexion entre les grandes villes.
Ceci marque le troisième projet européen de WeRide en huit mois, après le lancement du premier projet commercial de minibus autonome en Europe à l'aéroport de Zurich et des services de navette L4 autonomes lors de l'Open de France 2024 à Paris. L'exploitation complètement autonome est prévue pour durer jusqu'à cinq ans.
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) wurde als Technologieanbieter für ein neues Pilotprojekt zum autonomen Fahren in der Schweiz ausgewählt, das vom Kanton Zürich und der Schweizerischen Bundesbahn (SBB) finanziert und vom Swiss Transit Lab geleitet wird. Das Projekt wird in der Testphase zunächst zwei autonome Fahrzeuge einsetzen und plant, im 2. Quartal 2025 auf vier Fahrzeuge zu erweitern, mit Plänen für acht weitere Fahrzeuge im Jahr 2026.
Der Service wird in der Furttal-Region in der Schweiz betrieben, wo Anwohner autonome Fahrzeuge über eine von ioki bereitgestellte App buchen können. Das Projekt zielt darauf ab, die Verkehrsmöglichkeiten in den Vororten zu verbessern und ergänzt das umfangreiche Schienennetz der Schweiz, das die Hauptverbindung zwischen den großen Städten darstellt.
Dies ist WeRide's drittes europäisches Projekt innerhalb von acht Monaten, nach dem Start des ersten kommerziellen autonomen Minibusprojekts in Europa am Flughafen Zürich und den L4 autonomen Shuttle-Diensten bei den French Open 2024 in Paris. Der vollständig unbesetzte Betrieb ist für bis zu fünf Jahre geplant.
- Secured major contract with Swiss government entities for autonomous driving pilot
- Project scope includes expansion from 2 to 12 vehicles by 2026
- Third European project win in eight months, showing strong market penetration
- Five-year operational timeline indicates long-term revenue potential
- Initial deployment to only two vehicles
- Revenue impact not disclosed
- Project restricted to suburban area with initial scope
Insights
The Swiss autonomous driving pilot represents WeRide's strategic expansion in Europe's autonomous mobility market. The project's multi-year commitment and planned fleet expansion from 2 to 12 vehicles signals strong confidence in WeRide's L4 technology. This third European project in 8 months, following Zurich Airport and French Open implementations, demonstrates accelerating market penetration.
The partnership with SBB, Switzerland's national railway operator with a
The operational structure, progressing from test phase to fully unmanned operations over 5 years, follows a proven deployment model that balances innovation with safety considerations. The technology stack's adaptability across different use cases (airports, sporting events, public transit) validates WeRide's platform approach and enhances its competitive positioning in the European autonomous vehicle market.
This project significantly enhances WeRide's market position in Europe's autonomous mobility sector. Switzerland, known for its precision engineering and strict regulatory standards, serves as a high-credibility reference market. The multi-stakeholder structure, involving government (Canton of Zurich), transportation (SBB) and innovation entities (STL), creates a robust foundation for long-term growth.
The pilot's scalable structure, beginning with 2 vehicles and expanding to 12, indicates a methodical approach to market development. The project addresses a specific market need in suburban mobility, where traditional public transit solutions are often economically challenging. The integration with ioki's booking platform demonstrates WeRide's ability to participate in comprehensive mobility ecosystems.
WeRide's selection over competitors for this pilot, following recent European successes, suggests growing brand recognition and trust in European markets. This momentum could accelerate market penetration and potentially lead to similar projects in other European regions facing suburban mobility challenges.
ZURICH, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide Inc. (NASDAQ: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, is the technology provider for an innovative new autonomous driving pilot project in Switzerland. This project is funded by the Canton of Zurich and Swiss national railway Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB) and managed by the Swiss Transit Lab (STL), with WeRide providing products and operational support. The decision demonstrates WeRide's leading L4 autonomous driving technology and operational experience has again been recognized by the international market.
During the test phase, two autonomous cars with WeRide technology will be in service. When operations start, which is expected in the second quarter, up to four cars will be deployed. Fully unmanned mode will operate for up to five years. In 2026, the fleet is expected to expand with eight additional autonomous vehicles, with further expansion in future.
The first automated vehicles will operate in Switzerland’s Furttal Region. Residents will be able to book the autonomous vehicles by an app supplied by ioki.
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. From large sports events to airport operations to public transportation services, our solutions have proven their excellent adaptability in various scenarios.”
In Switzerland, trains serve as the main arteries connecting major cities and towns. According to Federal Office of Transport (FOT), on average, Swiss residents take the train about 70 times a year, the highest rate in Europe. However, suburban areas face limited transportation options.
SBB, one of the project investors, was established in 1902, is Switzerland’s state-owned railway company with a 3,000-kilometer network. The Canton of Zurich is the second-largest investor. STL, the project manager, is dedicated to exploring and promoting innovative mobility solutions. Leveraging WeRide's autonomous driving technology, the parties will work to expand Switzerland's intelligent transportation network.
This project is WeRide's third in Europe within eight months. Recently, WeRide launched Europe’s first commercial autonomous minibus project at Zurich Airport and provided L4 autonomous shuttle services at the 2024 French Open in Paris.
Selection of WeRide’s technology reaffirms the versatility of the WeRide One autonomous driving technology platform and its adaptability to different products and signifies WeRide's technology, products, and services are meeting with great interest in Europe.
Contact
Edmond Lococo
ICR, LLC
WeRidePR@icrinc.com
+1 (332) 242-4398
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