#Paris #France #WeRide #Renault #Roland-Garros

WeRide Partners with Renault for Autonomous Shuttles at Roland-Garros

In a remarkable advancement for autonomous mobility, WeRide, a prominent leader in autonomous driving technology, has teamed up once again with the Renault Group, a premium partner of Roland-Garros. This collaboration marks the second consecutive year that the two companies are providing an autonomous shuttle service during the prestigious Grand Slam tournament held in Paris.

This year's service includes the operation of a Level 4 autonomous minibus shuttle, a feat that reflects the growing confidence in autonomous driving technologies. The shuttle will operate daily from May 25 to June 8, providing a vital connection over a distance of 2.8 kilometers in approximately 12 minutes. The route connects key points, including Avenue de la Porte d'Auteuil, Place de la Porte d'Auteuil, P1 Parking Carrefour des Anciens Combattants, and the Roland Garros Village, operational from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

This year, WeRide has introduced an additional midnight service, running from 10 PM to midnight. This service aims to enhance guest comfort and accessibility, especially during the late hours. Impressively, the autonomous shuttle continues to function smoothly under complex night conditions, navigating through urban environments that may be dimly lit and unpredictably busy with vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.

Tony Han, the founder and CEO of WeRide, expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership with Renault. He stated, _“We are excited to return to Roland-Garros with our long-term partner, the Renault Group, and further our shared mission of commercializing autonomous mobility in Europe. The return of our Robobus service for a second year not only builds trust in our technology but also validates its practicality.”_

WeRide sees Europe as a crucial market in its global roadmap. The company has achieved the authorization of its autonomous products in five markets, including France, and is already engaged in commercial operations, aiming to offer cities in the region safer, smarter, and environmentally friendly mobility solutions.

Patrick Vergelas, the project director for autonomous mobility at the Renault Group, articulated the vision behind the initiative: _“These autonomous electric minibuses and shuttles embody our vision of a safer, smoother, more efficient, and sustainable public transport system that serves communities and their residents. Since we began experiments, we are no longer questioning whether society is ready for autonomous public transport; we see that it already is.”_ He highlighted the partnership's demonstrative role in trends of autonomous mobility from Roland-Garros to other cities, signifying that what was once a promise is now a tangible reality.

The collaboration continues to strengthen the partnership between WeRide and Renault, moving forward toward their mutual goal of disseminating autonomous mobility solutions throughout Europe. Earlier this year, WeRide and Renault launched Europe's first fully driverless commercial Robobus operation in the French Drôme region and conducted a testing trial of the Robobus in the heart of Barcelona, Spain.

For more information about this groundbreaking initiative or to learn more about WeRide and Renault’s advancements in autonomous technology, please contact Joe Wang at [email protected]