WeRide's European Robotaxi Push
WeRide Partners with Uber for Robotaxi Pilot in Madrid, Plans Slovakia Expansion by 2026
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WeRide (WRD) has teamed up with Uber and local fleet operator AVOMO to launch Spain's first commercial robotaxi pilot in Madrid, with operations set to begin before the end of 2026. The move extends a broader Uber deal signed in May 2025 to deploy autonomous vehicles across 15 cities in five years, making Madrid the fourth city on that list Business Wire.
The same week, WeRide executives met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava to finalize a plan deploying its full Level 4 (fully driverless) vehicle portfolio — including taxis, buses, and logistics vans — with commercial operations targeted for late 2026 GlobeNewswire.
How the Madrid Robotaxi Deal Actually Works
WeRide uses what it calls an asset-light model. Unlike Waymo, which owns its own fleet, WeRide only supplies the software and sensors — the "brain" of the car. AVOMO (part of Moove Cars Group) owns and maintains the vehicles. Uber supplies the riders. Each partner handles what it does best TNW.
WeRide CEO Dr. Tony Han said the deal shows the company can "operate safely in complex real-world conditions" and that combining its tech with Uber's platform will "accelerate commercialization at scale" ITS International. The Madrid fleet will start with human safety operators on board, then scale to "hundreds" of fully driverless vehicles once safety milestones are met Business Wire.
Slovakia Bets on WeRide Beyond Just Robotaxis
The Slovakia play is bigger than a taxi service. WeRide plans to bring autonomous street sweepers (called Robosweepers) and logistics vans to Bratislava alongside passenger cars. This multi-product approach lets WeRide chase city infrastructure contracts, not just consumer fares Market Chameleon.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico gave the plan his full backing. Notably, China's Ambassador to Slovakia also attended the meeting, highlighting how Chinese AV technology is becoming a diplomatic export tool — even as the EU debates tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles GlobeNewswire.
EU Regulators Finally Move to Clear the Road
On June 8, 2026, transport ministers from 17 EU nations signed a declaration in Brussels to create a unified testing zone for autonomous vehicles across borders. The goal is to fix Europe's patchwork of national rules that has slowed AV adoption. EU official Anne-Marie Idrac called the framework a necessary "accelerator" Global News.
Some EU officials are less optimistic. France's Clement Beaune warned that by the time the framework is ready, Chinese and American firms will already hold dominant market share AFP. WeRide's Madrid launch may be perfectly timed to get ahead of slower European rivals.
Revenue Is Climbing but Losses Are Still Steep
WeRide's full-year 2025 revenue hit RMB 684.6 million ($97.9 million), up 89.6% from the year before. But the company posted a net loss of RMB 1,654.9 million ($236 million). R&D costs alone ate up nearly 60% of revenue GlobeNewswire. The stock has fallen 27% year-to-date as of June 2026.
WeRide does have a buffer. It held RMB 7.1 billion ($1 billion) in cash at the end of 2025, giving it runway to fund European expansion Stock Titan. Analysts at InvestingPro warn the stock still looks "elevated compared to its Fair Value" given the ongoing losses Investing.com. The key question investors are now asking is not where WeRide can drive, but when it can stop losing money.
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