Report on WeRide’s Autonomous Robotaxi Deployment in Shanghai and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

On July 26, 2025, WeRide, a company specializing in autonomous driving technology, was granted a permit by the Shanghai municipal government to commence Level 4 (L4) autonomous Robotaxi services. This development, announced during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2025), represents a significant step in advancing urban mobility infrastructure and aligns with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The permit facilitates the deployment of Robotaxis in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, marking the tenth city in WeRide’s global operational footprint.

2.0 Project Overview and Strategic Partnerships

The initiative is a collaborative effort, demonstrating a multi-sectoral approach to achieving sustainable urban development.

• Primary Partners: WeRide, Chery Group, and Jinjiang Taxi.
• Launch Initiative: A fully mass-produced, pre-installed L4 Robotaxi shuttle service was launched as part of the WAIC 2025 Intelligent Vehicle Experience Showcase.
• Service Network: The service connects major Shanghai transport and cultural hubs, including the Shanghai World Expo Center, Pudong International Airport, and Shanghai Disney Resort.
• Accessibility: The service is accessible to the public via the “Jinjiang Smart Mobility” WeChat mini-program, promoting inclusive access to innovative transport solutions.

This partnership model is a direct implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, combining WeRide’s technological innovation, Chery Group’s manufacturing capacity, and Jinjiang Taxi’s established transport service network.

3.0 Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The deployment of L4 autonomous Robotaxis in Shanghai directly supports the advancement of several SDGs, particularly those focused on creating sustainable, resilient, and innovative urban environments.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The project provides a safe, accessible, and sustainable transport system for Shanghai.
   • By connecting key urban, transport, and tourism locations, it enhances integrated urban planning and public transit access.
   • The use of electric vehicles (EVs) as the base platform contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of urban transport and improving air quality.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The deployment of L4 autonomous technology represents a significant leap in industrial innovation.
   • The development of the jointly produced CER Robotaxi model on a mass-producible platform builds resilient and sustainable infrastructure for future mobility.
   • The project fosters technological advancement and upgrades the technological capabilities of the transport industry.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The technology aims to significantly improve road safety. The CER vehicle incorporates five layers of redundant safety systems (steering, braking, power, etc.).
   • By reducing the potential for human error, autonomous driving systems can drastically lower the number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

4.0 Technological and Operational Specifications

The technology underpinning the Robotaxi service is designed for safety, efficiency, and scalability, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and innovative infrastructure (SDG 9).

4.1 Vehicle and Platform

• Model: The CER, a jointly developed Robotaxi by WeRide and Chery Group.
• Vehicle Architecture: Built on EXEED’s premium new energy STERRA ET platform.
• Autonomous Driving Platform: Powered by WeRide One, a universal autonomous driving solution.

4.2 Safety and Sensor Systems

• Sensor Suite 5.6: Features over 20 sensors, including cost-efficient LiDARs and high-definition cameras.
• Navigation: Utilizes RTK-precision navigation modules for accuracy.
• Redundancy Systems: Incorporates five layers of safety redundancy, covering steering, braking, parking, communication, and power supply to ensure operational safety, directly supporting SDG 3.

4.3 Global Deployment

The Shanghai launch marks WeRide’s entry into its tenth city. The company has accumulated over 2,000 days of safe operation across nine other cities in China, the UAE, and Switzerland, demonstrating the robustness and adaptability of its technology in diverse urban environments.

5.0 Conclusion and Future Outlook

The granting of the Robotaxi permit in Shanghai is a milestone in the commercialization of autonomous driving and a clear example of public-private partnership driving progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on innovation (SDG 9), urban sustainability (SDG 11), and safety (SDG 3) through strategic partnerships (SDG 17), WeRide and its partners are contributing to the development of smarter, safer, and more connected transportation systems for cities worldwide.

SDGs Addressed or Connected

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The article focuses on technological innovation, specifically the development and deployment of “Level 4 (L4) autonomous Robotaxi ride-hailing services.” This represents a significant advancement in the autonomous driving industry.
• It highlights the creation of new infrastructure through the Robotaxi service, which connects “key Shanghai transport hubs and cultural-tourism landmarks.”
• The collaboration between WeRide, Chery Group, and Jinjiang Taxi showcases the fostering of industry partnerships to advance technology and commercial deployment.
• The development of a “new generation of mass-produced Robotaxis” built on WeRide’s universal autonomous driving platform and EXEED’s vehicle architecture points to upgrading industrial capabilities.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The core of the article is about improving urban transportation systems. The launch of the Robotaxi service in Shanghai aims to create a “smarter, safer, and more connected transportation future” for the city.
• The service provides a new transport option for “residents, tourists, and conference attendees,” contributing to more accessible urban mobility.
• The use of vehicles from a “premium new energy vehicle brand” built on an “EV platform architecture” indicates a move towards more sustainable transport, which can help reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities by lowering emissions from transportation.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article repeatedly emphasizes safety, mentioning a “safer… transportation future” and the vehicle’s “five layers of redundant safety systems.” By aiming to reduce traffic accidents, which are a major cause of injury and death, the technology directly relates to improving public health and well-being.

Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety.

   • The article describes the launch of a new transport system (Robotaxi service) in Shanghai. Its focus on a “safer… transportation future” and “five layers of redundant safety systems” directly addresses the goal of improving road safety. The use of “new energy vehicles” contributes to the sustainability of the transport system.

2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.

   • The Robotaxi network is presented as a new form of reliable and resilient infrastructure. The article notes its deployment in its “tenth city globally” and “over 2,000 days of safe operation,” which demonstrates its reliability and the development of this new infrastructure on a global scale.

3. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

   • The article states that the Robotaxis are developed with Chery’s “premium new energy vehicle brand, EXEED” and are built on an “EV platform architecture.” This is a clear example of adopting clean and environmentally sound technologies in the transportation industry.

4. Target 3.6: Halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

   • The deployment of “Level 4 (L4) autonomous” vehicles with multiple redundant safety systems is a direct technological attempt to reduce human error, the leading cause of traffic accidents. The goal of a “safer… transportation future” aligns with reducing road traffic injuries and deaths.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. Number of cities with operational services

   • The article explicitly states that the permit in Shanghai marks WeRide’s entry into its “tenth city globally.” This is a direct, quantifiable indicator of the expansion and adoption of this new transportation infrastructure.

2. Duration of safe operation

   • The article mentions that WeRide has accumulated “over 2,000 days of safe operation.” This serves as a key performance indicator for the safety and reliability of the autonomous driving system, measuring progress towards safety-related targets.

3. Adoption of clean energy vehicle technology

   • The article implies this indicator by specifying that the Robotaxis are “new energy vehicles” built on an “EV platform architecture.” This qualitative indicator measures the shift towards more sustainable and environmentally sound technologies in transport.

4. Level of autonomous driving technology

   • The service is described as “Level 4 (L4) autonomous.” This technical specification is an indicator of the technological capability and sophistication of the transport system being deployed, reflecting progress in innovation.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: globenewswire.com