Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has made inroads into Belgium with the launch of its Robobus last week in partnership with local transportation company De Lijn, the city of Leuven, and mobility consultancy firm Espaces-Mobilités.

As Belgium's oldest university city, Leuven, situated 30 kilometers east of Brussels and well-connected to major Belgian cities and transport hubs, was selected as the strategic pilot site for deployment.

"Europe is a key autonomous vehicle market with strong public investment and clear commercialization paths, with Belgium standing out as an mobility-focused innovation hub," said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide.

The move marks WeRide's 11th global market worldwide and builds on its European presence following deployments in France, Switzerland and Spain.

Starting Thursday, WeRide's Robobus is conducting mapping in downtown Leuven, between Leuven Station and Heverlee.

This busy route, characterized by dense city traffic and its connection to a major transport hub, reflects typical Belgian urban conditions. Public road testing is expected in mid-September, with a safety officer onboard during the first phase.

"With this first project, we are tapping into the potential of autonomous vehicles to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and ease parking pressure.

"Outside city centers, they can also provide 'last mile' connections and reliable transport to rural areas and for people with limited mobility," said Annick De Ridder, Flemish Minister of Mobility, Public Works, Ports, and Sports.

Pending successful testing and regulatory approval, a pilot autonomous shuttle service will be operated along the same route.

This pilot is scheduled to begin in mid-November and run through end-January 2026 — marking Belgium's first commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles in mixed and complex traffic.

Passengers will be allowed to board using a digital ticket via app, SMS, or their subscription.

Following the trial period, the shuttles are expected to enter regular service in Leuven, marking a national milestone in the application of autonomous public transport.

The service aims to improve first- and last-mile connectivity while seamlessly integrating autonomous vehicles into Leuven's transit network.

Looking ahead, the goal is to achieve fully driverless operations, further enhancing safety and efficiency in urban mobility.