WeRide autonomous driving expansion in Slovakia with national commercial rollout

In a significant move for Europe’s autonomous mobility landscape, WeRide has announced its entry into Slovakia through a national-level commercialization initiative. This development represents a major milestone in the company’s international growth strategy, extending its operational footprint to 12 countries. The collaboration positions Slovakia as a strategic hub for scaling next-generation self-driving solutions, while reinforcing Europe’s commitment to regulated and structured deployment of autonomous technologies.

Strategic Partnership Driving National Deployment

The expansion is being executed through a partnership with Slovakia-based Elevate Slovakia, a multi-stakeholder platform focused on innovation and mobility transformation. This collaboration introduces the country’s first nationwide autonomous driving program, backed by institutional support. It also marks Europe’s first large-scale, state-supported commercialization initiative for autonomous vehicles, highlighting a shift from pilot projects toward structured deployment at scale.

Comprehensive Autonomous Vehicle Portfolio Deployment

WeRide plans to introduce its complete range of autonomous mobility solutions to support diverse use cases across urban environments. These deployments are designed to address passenger transport, logistics efficiency, and municipal services through a unified autonomous ecosystem.

Key Autonomous Solutions Introduced

The deployment will include multiple vehicle categories tailored to specific applications, enabling broad adoption across sectors.

• Robotaxi for urban passenger mobility
• Robobus for shared public transportation
• Robovan for unmanned parcel delivery
• Robosweeper for smart sanitation operations

Testing Roadmap and Expansion Timeline

The first batch of autonomous vehicles is scheduled to arrive in spring 2026, with testing programs set to begin in Bratislava during the first half of the year. Following successful validation against regulatory and safety requirements, operations will gradually extend to additional cities such as Košice. This phased rollout strategy ensures compliance while building confidence in autonomous systems before achieving nationwide deployment.

Global Growth and Fleet Expansion Strategy

Since its establishment in 2017, WeRide has steadily expanded its presence across multiple global markets, securing operational licenses in eight countries, including China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. The company’s active robotaxi fleet has surpassed 1,000 units, reaching 1,023 vehicles, reflecting strong progress toward large-scale commercialization.

Long-Term Vision and Market Positioning

The company aims to significantly scale its global robotaxi operations, targeting tens of thousands of units by 2030. Its dual listing on major stock exchanges further strengthens its financial position to support expansion initiatives. The entry into Slovakia not only enhances its European presence but also demonstrates the growing alignment between regulatory frameworks and autonomous mobility deployment across global markets.

This development underscores a broader transition toward integrated autonomous transport ecosystems, where partnerships, regulatory readiness, and scalable technologies converge to accelerate commercialization in new regions.