China-based autonomous driving startup WeRide has secured approval from California regulators to test its driverless vehicles with passengers.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted the permit earlier this month, allowing WeRide to operate its autonomous vehicles in San Jose and nearby areas for the next three years.
These WeRide cars in California can carry passengers both with and without a safety driver, but the company is not allowed to offer rides to the public or charge fares.
WeRide, founded in 2017, has faced challenges in the U.S. market, where regulatory hurdles and public concerns have slowed the rollout of robotaxis. Despite these obstacles, the company is pushing forward, seeking a valuation of up to $5 billion in its upcoming New York IPO, even as the U.S. considers a ban on vehicles with China-developed systems.
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