WeRide's autonomous sanitation vehicles are deployed in Singapore.

Two autonomous sanitation vehicles from the autonomous driving technology company WeRide have recently passed testing and are now permitted to conduct pilot operations on public roads and pathways in Singapore.

WeRide, which has established a large-scale autonomous vehicle fleet and a research and development center in Beijing E-Town, is accelerating its global expansion. WeRide's autonomous sanitation vehicle, the S6, has obtained the Milestone 1 permit for public road testing from the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, while its autonomous sweeper S1 has received the T1 Assessment permit for public pathway testing.

These two permits are important assessment criteria by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore for the technical safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles.

The scope of the M1 license assessment covers multiple dimensions, including basic autonomous driving functions, the identification and avoidance of dynamic and static obstacles, and overall vehicle safety performance. During the certification process, WeRide's sanitation vehicle, the S6, had to complete such tasks as complex turning, lane keeping, and responding to dynamic environments in a test site that closely simulates the urban road environment of Singapore, demonstrating its flexibility and technological advancement in autonomous driving.

Meanwhile, WeRide's autonomous sweeper, the S1, obtained certification highlighting its safety and efficiency in operating on public pathways, as the T1 license focuses on public pathway testing, with particular emphasis on the reliability of technology in specific scenarios and its precise response capability to complex environments.

As early as December 2023, one of WeRide's autonomous minibuses obtained both the M1 and T1 licenses in just three months.

"We will align with Singapore's policies for the development of autonomous sanitation, deepening collaboration with local partners," said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide.

"WeRide will accelerate the commercial deployment and operation of autonomous sanitation vehicles and autonomous sweepers in Singapore, contributing to the construction of a smart and green city."