China-based autonomous driving company WeRide is set to introduce a driverless shuttle service at Zurich Airport in early 2025. The self-driving Robobus will operate along a dedicated route to transport airport employees between various locations.

Pilot Project for Intelligent Mobility

The Robobus initiative is part of a pilot project developed in collaboration with Flughafen Zürich AG and the Swiss Transit Lab (STL), a Swiss network specializing in intelligent mobility solutions. Following a competitive tender process, WeRide was selected as the technology provider for this robotaxi pilot program.

The shuttle will serve as a supplementary transport option for airport staff, connecting the employee entrance at gate 101 to the maintenance area at gate 130. This route, which is entirely separate from flight operations and avoids airplane taxiways, provides a controlled environment for testing autonomous vehicles.

Phased Implementation

During the first phase of the pilot project, a safety driver will be on board to monitor the Robobus system. In the second phase, operations will be remotely monitored from a dedicated control center at the airport. Data collected during the project will inform the development of safety and operational guidelines for future autonomous vehicle deployments.

International Collaboration and Proven Technology

The Robobus has already been tested in Paris in collaboration with Renault, transporting passengers on a 5km route during the French Open. Zurich Airport’s operators are also working with other European airports, including those in Brussels and Amsterdam, to advance autonomous vehicle technologies.

WeRide received approval in August 2024 to test its autonomous vehicles with passengers in California, though these trials are not yet open to the general public. The company’s technology has been praised for meeting Zurich Airport’s stringent legal, safety, and data protection standards.

Flughafen Zürich AG stated: “WeRide possesses a fully developed and thoroughly tested technology, meets all of the legal and safety requirements in place at Zurich Airport, and guarantees that it will meet the data protection requirements set out.”

This pilot project marks a significant step in integrating autonomous technology into airport operations, providing insights for broader adoption in the future.