WeRide gets approval for late-night robotaxi testing in Beijing

BEIJING - Autonomous driving technology company WeRide (NASDAQ:WRD), currently valued at $2.47 billion, has received approval to conduct late-night testing of its robotaxi fleet on public roads in Beijing’s High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone, the company announced Wednesday. According to InvestingPro data, the company has shown promising revenue growth of 11.15% in the last twelve months.

The testing, permitted between 10pm and 7am, represents a step toward WeRide’s goal of establishing a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in the Chinese capital.

Beijing’s nighttime conditions present significant challenges for autonomous vehicles, including low lighting and adverse weather such as heavy rain in summer and snow in winter. To address these obstacles, WeRide has equipped its robotaxis with more than 20 sensors, including high-precision cameras and LiDAR systems that provide 360-degree coverage with detection range up to 200 meters.

The company has also developed a smart sensor cleaning system that automatically detects and removes dirt and moisture to maintain perception capabilities in various environmental conditions.

WeRide has previously conducted robotaxi testing or operations in 10 cities across four countries. In May, the company launched what it claims is China’s first 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in Guangzhou.

The Beijing night testing approval comes as WeRide seeks to validate its technology for around-the-clock operations and potentially address gaps in public transportation during off-peak hours.

According to a press release statement, WeRide has received autonomous driving permits in six markets globally, including China, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, and the US. Analysts maintain a bullish outlook on the stock, with price targets ranging from $11.98 to $21.05. For comprehensive analysis and additional insights, check out the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers what really matters about WeRide’s business model and growth prospects.

In other recent news, WeRide reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, highlighting a significant surge in revenue. Despite experiencing a net loss, the company has made considerable progress in its autonomous driving technology, which positions it as a notable entity in the industry. The company’s expansion efforts and product innovations have been pivotal in this development. Additionally, UBS has initiated coverage on WeRide with a Buy rating and a $12.00 price target. UBS attributes this positive outlook to WeRide’s diversified product offerings, which include L2-L4 robotaxis, robobuses, robosweepers, and robovans. These recent developments reflect WeRide’s strategic advancements in the autonomous vehicle sector.

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