WeRide to deploy Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Slovakia
WeRide plans to commercialize its Level 4 autonomous vehicle portfolio in Slovakia with government support, starting operations in Bratislava this month. The company will deploy vehicles across smart mobility, public transportation, logistics, and municipal sanitation, with public commercial operations expected in 2026. This expansion adds Slovakia to WeRide's existing European presence in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has outlined plans to commercialize its Level 4 autonomous vehicle portfolio in Slovakia. The company confirmed that the first batch of vehicles is set to arrive this month, with testing scheduled to begin in Bratislava before expanding to Košice and the High Tatras region. Selected models are expected to enter public commercial operations in 2026, subject to meeting all Slovak and European Union regulatory and safety requirements.
The announcement follows a high-level meeting in Bratislava with His Excellency Mr. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia. The meeting was also attended by Jozef Ráž, Minister of Transport of Slovakia, and Ľubomír Slovák, Director General of the Strategy and Planning Section at the Ministry of Transport of Slovakia. Prime Minister Fico expressed strong recognition of WeRide's technological capabilities and affirmed the Slovak government's full support for the rollout of autonomous driving initiatives.
Strategic Expansion in Europe
This project marks a significant milestone in WeRide's European expansion strategy. The company currently operates in five European countries: France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia. WeRide will deploy its full Level 4 autonomous product portfolio across multiple use cases, including smart mobility, public transportation, logistics, and municipal sanitation.
| Country | Application | Status |
|---|---|---|
| France | Robobus | Fully driverless commercial operations in Drôme region; operated at Roland-Garros for three consecutive years |
| Switzerland | Robotaxi, Robobus | First driverless Robotaxi passenger permit; Robobus operates at Zurich Airport without safety driver |
| Belgium | Robobus | Regular commercial service in Leuven |
| Spain | Robotaxi | Partnered with Uber to launch first commercial Robotaxi service, expected later this year |
Government and Diplomatic Support
The meeting was held at the invitation of DiusAI, the local partner of ELEVATE Slovakia, a national multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at establishing a safe, regulatory-ready framework for autonomous mobility. On the same day, H.E. Cai Ge, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Slovak Republic, met with representatives from WeRide and DiusAI, expressing support for the smart mobility collaboration in Slovakia.
WeRide continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in autonomous driving, accelerating L4 adoption in Europe through a multi-product, multi-scenario approach. The company's autonomous vehicles have been deployed in over 40 cities across 12 countries, holding permits in eight markets including China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US.
How will WeRide navigate the complex EU regulatory landscape to ensure the 2026 commercial launch deadline is met?
What specific infrastructure upgrades are required in Bratislava, Košice, and the High Tatras to support Level 4 autonomous operations?
Will the success of the Slovakia deployment trigger similar government-backed partnerships in other Central or Eastern European countries?
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