Quick Takeaways
- WeRide autonomous shuttle Leuven Belgium enters Europe’s first dense city commercial deployment.
- The rollout strengthens WeRide’s overseas strategy alongside Robotaxi launches in Europe and the Middle East.
On January 26, 2026, WeRide announced that its autonomous shuttle, Robobus, has officially entered commercial operation in Leuven, Belgium, marking a major milestone in the company’s overseas expansion and the adoption of autonomous public transport in Europe.
The WeRide autonomous shuttle Leuven Belgium service has been integrated into Line 16 of De Lijn, the city’s public transport operator, and is now running as part of Leuven’s regular bus network. This deployment represents Europe’s first commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in a dense urban center with mixed and complex traffic conditions.
Integration into Leuven’s Public Transport Network
The autonomous shuttle route connects Leuven’s main railway station with the Heverlee district, linking key transport hubs and university clusters across the city center. By operating within an existing public bus line, the service blends seamlessly into daily commuting patterns.
Passengers can purchase digital tickets via text message or through the De Lijn mobile app, ensuring the autonomous shuttle functions like any other public transit option. This integration lowers barriers to adoption and supports routine use by residents, students, and visitors.
Regulatory Milestone and Multi-Partner Collaboration
The Leuven deployment builds on regulatory progress achieved in September 2025, when WeRide’s autonomous shuttle became the first vehicle in Belgium to receive a federal-level Level 4 autonomous driving testing permit.
The project is a long-term collaboration involving:
The initiative is expected to continue operating through at least 2027, providing extended real-world validation of autonomous public transport in urban environments.
WeRide’s Broader Autonomous Mobility Expansion
Beyond autonomous buses, WeRide is accelerating the rollout of its Robotaxi and related autonomous mobility services, with overseas markets now central to its growth strategy.
In December 2025, WeRide partnered with Uber and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service in Dubai. The initial fleet operates with onboard safety drivers, with plans to transition to fully driverless commercial Robotaxi operations in early 2026.
Earlier, in November 2025, WeRide disclosed that its Robotaxi had received a fully driverless operation permit from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office. The permit allows unmanned operation on public roads in the Furttal area of Zurich canton and marked the first license of its kind issued in Switzerland.
With the WeRide autonomous shuttle Leuven Belgium now operating commercially, the company continues to strengthen its position in global autonomous mobility, combining public transport deployments with expanding Robotaxi services across Europe and the Middle East.
The WeRide autonomous shuttle Leuven Belgium service has been integrated into Line 16 of De Lijn, the city’s public transport operator, and is now running as part of Leuven’s regular bus network. This deployment represents Europe’s first commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in a dense urban center with mixed and complex traffic conditions.
Integration into Leuven’s Public Transport Network
The autonomous shuttle route connects Leuven’s main railway station with the Heverlee district, linking key transport hubs and university clusters across the city center. By operating within an existing public bus line, the service blends seamlessly into daily commuting patterns.
Passengers can purchase digital tickets via text message or through the De Lijn mobile app, ensuring the autonomous shuttle functions like any other public transit option. This integration lowers barriers to adoption and supports routine use by residents, students, and visitors.
Regulatory Milestone and Multi-Partner Collaboration
The Leuven deployment builds on regulatory progress achieved in September 2025, when WeRide’s autonomous shuttle became the first vehicle in Belgium to receive a federal-level Level 4 autonomous driving testing permit.
The project is a long-term collaboration involving:
- WeRide
- De Lijn
- Mobility consultancy Espaces-Mobilités
- Multiple levels of local government
- Support from EIT Urban Mobility
The initiative is expected to continue operating through at least 2027, providing extended real-world validation of autonomous public transport in urban environments.
WeRide’s Broader Autonomous Mobility Expansion
Beyond autonomous buses, WeRide is accelerating the rollout of its Robotaxi and related autonomous mobility services, with overseas markets now central to its growth strategy.
In December 2025, WeRide partnered with Uber and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service in Dubai. The initial fleet operates with onboard safety drivers, with plans to transition to fully driverless commercial Robotaxi operations in early 2026.
Earlier, in November 2025, WeRide disclosed that its Robotaxi had received a fully driverless operation permit from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office. The permit allows unmanned operation on public roads in the Furttal area of Zurich canton and marked the first license of its kind issued in Switzerland.
With the WeRide autonomous shuttle Leuven Belgium now operating commercially, the company continues to strengthen its position in global autonomous mobility, combining public transport deployments with expanding Robotaxi services across Europe and the Middle East.
Company Press Release
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