WeRide has unveiled its next generation production robotaxi, the GXR, claiming to be the world’s most spacious production robotaxi to date.
Chinese autonomous driving tech startup WeRide has unveiled its next generation production robotaxi, the GXR, claiming to be the world’s most spacious production robotaxi to date.
The GXR measures 5,018 mm in length, 1,340 mm in cabin clearance and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm, according to an announcement yesterday.
The robotaxi’s exterior is a typical MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) design, in contrast to smaller sedans, SUVs (sport utility vehicles) or mini vans, which are common in the sector.
WeRide has eliminated the first row passenger seat on the GXR, the first of its kind in the industry, to provide more space for passengers.
The robotaxi is equipped with WeRide’s full-scenario L4 autonomous driving hardware and software systems, and has been designed with redundancy in core systems, including the computing unit and braking, to improve safety, according to the company.
The WeRide GXR comes with a sensor suite called Sensor Suite 5.6 and the HPC 2.0 computing platform.
Sensor Suite 5.6 has over 20 sensors including LiDAR, HD high dynamic camera, RTK high precision combined inertial guidance module, which provides 360° scanning of the surroundings and senses objects up to 200 meters ahead.
The HPC 2.0 computing platform delivers over 1,300 TOPS of AI computing power to meet computing needs, WeRide said.
The GXR’s L4 autonomous driving capability can handle complex scenarios including morning and evening rush hour, mixed pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and nighttime highway driving with ease, according to the company.
After the robotaxi officially opens for public operation, passengers can choose to experience the model through WeRide’s mobile app in China.
WeRide was founded in 2017, and the company’s products include robotaxi, mini robobus, robovan, robo street sweeper and SAE L2-L4 solutions for high-level intelligent driving.
The company is currently testing and operating autonomous driving in 30 cities in seven countries, and is the only company to have autonomous driving test licenses in four countries — China, the US, the UAE, and Singapore — at the same time, according to WeRide’s website.
WeRide announced a strategic partnership with Uber on September 25 to advance the use of its self-driving vehicles on Uber’s platform and will first launch operations in the UAE.
The partnership will first be executed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, by the end of this year, and a fleet of WeRide self-driving vehicles will be available on the Uber App to offer services.
