Chinese company WeRide has announced its entry into the Slovakian market, expanding its presence to 12 countries. This new project is set to become one of the most ambitious in Europe and is directly linked to the development of autonomous transport in 2026.

Through a partnership with the Elevate Slovakia initiative, the company will launch the country's first national program for the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles. Slovakia now marks WeRide's fourth European market, following France, Belgium, and Switzerland.

The initial phase will see the introduction of robotaxis, autonomous buses, freight solutions, and utility vehicles. Testing is scheduled to begin in Bratislava in the first half of 2026, with plans to expand to other cities afterward.

Once all safety and regulatory requirements are met, the company aims to transition to full-scale commercial operation without drivers. WeRide's global fleet of robotaxis already exceeds 1,000 vehicles, and the company expects to scale up to tens of thousands by 2030.

Choosing Slovakia appears strategic: the country combines compact infrastructure, flexible regulation, and an interest in innovation. In practice, this serves as a testing ground for scenarios that could later be applied to larger EU markets. If successful, such projects could accelerate the shift from testing to widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in Europe.