On September 11, WeRide unveiled its autonomous Robobus (the WeRide Robobus) in Leuven, Belgium. This move signifies the company’s official foray into its 11th global market, significantly broadening its business presence across Europe. The project is a joint venture involving WeRide, the Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, the Leuven city administration, and the mobility consultancy firm Espaces-Mobilités.

The WeRide Robobus has already initiated map testing on the route stretching from Leuven Station to Herent. This route cuts through the heart of the city and links several major transportation hubs, providing a representative snapshot of Belgium’s typical urban traffic conditions. Public road testing is slated to commence in mid-September, initially with safety operators on board. Should the testing be successfully concluded and receive approval from the Belgian Ministry of Transport, partner De Lijn plans to carry out a trial operation from mid-November 2025 through to the end of January 2026. This will herald Belgium’s first-ever commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles in a mixed and intricate traffic setting. Once the trial phase is over, the WeRide Robobus is projected to commence regular operations, filling in the “last-mile” service void in Leuven’s public transportation network.