Madrid – Spanish authorities have taken a historic step for autonomous transportation by issuing the first national permits that allow WeRide’s self‑driving vehicles to be tested on public roads. Uber Technologies confirmed the approval on Thursday, noting that commercial robotaxi services are slated to launch in Madrid before the end of 2026, pending the achievement of operational and regulatory milestones.
Regulatory approval and next steps
The permit was granted by Spain’s Directorate‑General for Traffic, which also authorized preparatory activities such as high‑definition mapping, route validation and operational‑readiness testing. This marks the first EU‑wide approval for WeRide’s GXR vehicle, a key milestone for the Chinese autonomous‑driving firm.
Partnership details
Under the partnership, WeRide will supply the autonomous‑driving technology while Uber will provide its ride‑hailing platform. AVOMO, the autonomous‑vehicle division of Spain’s Moove Cars Group, will manage fleet operations on the ground.
Future rollout plans
Uber and WeRide envision a large‑scale deployment, aiming to place tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles across 15 cities worldwide by 2030. Earlier this month, Uber introduced autonomous rides in London, expanding its European robotaxi footprint after launching a similar service in Zagreb.
Official response
Spain’s Directorate‑General for Traffic did not respond to requests for comment outside of normal business hours.
Reporting by Benjamín Mejías Valencia; editing by Charlie Devereux and Barbara Lewis.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
