Hold onto your seats, tech fans! 🇨🇳 China-based autonomous driving startup WeRide just scored a major win in California. The state’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) greenlit the company to test its *driverless cars* with passengers onboard—a milestone for the robotaxi race! 🏁
Starting this month, WeRide’s 12-vehicle fleet will cruise San Jose and nearby areas for three years. But don’t hop in just yet: rides are limited to testing (no public access or fees allowed). 🚫💸
This isn’t WeRide’s first rodeo. Since 2021, the firm has tested empty vehicles in California, facing hurdles like strict regulations and public skepticism. Now, with a planned $5 billion New York IPO, it’s revving up despite U.S. concerns about Chinese tech systems. 💼💻
Globally, WeRide’s already rolling out autonomous vans and buses in Singapore and the UAE. But in the U.S., Alphabet’s Waymo still dominates as the only fare-charging robotaxi operator. Can WeRide shift gears and catch up? 🚕⚡️
