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11 hours ago2 min read

China-based WeRide to Launch Driverless Shuttle Service at Zurich Airport

China-based autonomous driving start-up WeRide is set to introduce a commercial autonomous shuttle service at Zurich Airport in early 2025. The self-driving shuttle bus, named Robobus, will follow a dedicated route to transport employees to different areas within the airport premises.


China-based WeRide to Launch Driverless Shuttle Service at Zurich Airport
Credit: Zurich Airport

This initiative is a result of a partnership between Flughafen Zürich AG and Swiss Transit Lab (STL), a network focused on developing and testing intelligent mobility solutions in Switzerland. WeRide was chosen as the technology provider for the robotaxi pilot project following a competitive tender process.


The WeRide Robobus will function as an additional transport service for airport employees, accommodating up to nine passengers at a time. It will operate on a route with multiple stops, connecting the employee entrance at gate 101 to the maintenance area at gate 130. This route, segregated from flight operations and aircraft taxiways, provides an ideal testing environment for autonomous vehicles.


Initially, a safety driver will be present onboard during the first phase of the project to oversee the system. Subsequently, journeys will be remotely monitored from a control centre at the airport during the second phase. Insights gathered from this project will contribute to the development of comprehensive guidelines for the safe and efficient operation of self-driving vehicles.


Flughafen Zürich AG is collaborating with other airports, including Brussels and Amsterdam, to explore autonomous vehicle technologies. The RoboBus, previously tested in Paris by WeRide and its European partner Renault, successfully transported passengers on a 5km route during the French Open.


In a statement, Flughafen Zürich AG expressed confidence in WeRide's technology, stating that it complies with all legal and safety requirements at Zurich Airport and ensures adherence to data protection regulations. WeRide obtained approval in August 2024 to conduct tests with driverless vehicles carrying passengers in California, under strict regulations prohibiting public rides and fare charges.

 

  • WeRide to launch driverless shuttle service at Zurich Airport in early 2025.

  • Collaboration between WeRide, Flughafen Zürich AG, and Swiss Transit Lab for the pilot project.

  • Robobus to operate as a supplementary transport service for airport employees.


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