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WeRide and Renault: The Future of Autonomous Shuttles at Roland-Garros

In an exciting move for fans of tennis and technology alike, WeRide, a global leader in the development of autonomous driving technology, has announced its partnership with Renault Group to bring back autonomous shuttle services during the prestigious Roland-Garros tournament in 2025. This collaboration marks the second consecutive year that these companies have worked together to offer a cutting-edge transport solution at this iconic Grand Slam event.

The autonomous shuttle service, known as the Robobus, operates at Level 4 autonomy and connects various key locations over a span of 2.8 kilometers, completing the journey in approximately 12 minutes. The route includes essential stops at Avenue de la Porte d'Auteuil, Place de la Porte d'Auteuil, the P1 parking area at Carrefour des Anciens Combattants, and the Village of Roland Garros. From May 25 to June 8, shuttles will be operational daily from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

This year, a new night service has been added, operating from 10:00 PM to midnight. This extension is intended to enhance convenience and provide increased access for visitors, allowing them to experience the event's excitement even after sunset. Despite the challenges of nighttime operations—like poor lighting and unpredictable city traffic—the Robobus has proven capable of navigating safely and efficiently throughout these conditions.

Tony Han, the founder and CEO of WeRide, expressed enthusiasm about the return to Roland-Garros with Renault. He remarked, “We are thrilled to return to Roland-Garros together with our long-standing partner, Renault Group, driving our shared mission of commercializing autonomous mobility in Europe. The return of our Robobus service for a second year not only reinforces confidence in our technology but also demonstrates its readiness for real-world applications.” He further emphasized Europe as a critical market in WeRide’s global roadmap, noting that with their products already licensed in multiple markets including France, the company is focused on providing safer, smarter, and greener mobility solutions to more cities across the region.

Renault's Patrick Vergelas, Director of Autonomous Mobility Projects, highlighted the significance of the autonomous shuttles as part of a vision for a safer, more efficient, and sustainable public transport system. “Since we began running trials, we no longer question whether society is ready for autonomous public transport; we see that it is,” he stated. He expressed that the partnership between Renault and WeRide proves that autonomous mobility is no longer just a futuristic concept but a present-day reality.

Through this collaborative effort, WeRide and Renault are marking their commitment to expanding autonomous mobility solutions across Europe. Earlier in March, the companies launched Europe’s first fully autonomous commercial Robobus service in the French region of Drôme, alongside their partner beti and insurance company Macif, and also tested a Robobus service in the center of Barcelona, Spain.

The return of the Robobus to Roland-Garros this year is not merely a stepping stone; it symbolizes a leap forward in the practical application of autonomous transport technology. As the world of sports continues to intertwine closely with advancing technologies, fans can look forward to a more seamless and accessible experience when attending this heralded tennis event.