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- Chinese transport company WeRide releases a fully automated electric delivery van called Robovan alongside its purchase of MoonX.AI technology
- WeRide’s net worth sits at $3.3 billion and it is the only company with a driverless licence in both the US and China
- WeRide investor Nissan has a carbon-neutral by 2050 goal
- UBER and WeRide agree that electric vehicles within the ride share industry should be a priority when looking for greener alternatives to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
Chinese transport company WeRide has released a fully automated electric delivery van called Robovan and announced its purchase of MoonX.AI technology.
MoonX.AI is a Chinese trucking startup company specialising in automated driving technology, with a fleet of more than 20 self-driving passenger vehicles and trucks.
CEO of WeRide Tony Han said the Robovan was highly versatile.
“It’s an autonomous driving vehicle. If you put a seat there it can serve as a robotaxi car. If you put a cabinet there it is really a logistics car,” Mr Han said.
WeRide’s net worth sits at $3.3 billion and it is the only company with a driverless licence in both the US and China.
Many car manufacturers believe the future of the automobile industry is equally tied to electrification and automation.
Australian Electrics
One of WeRide’s strategic investors is Nissan. The carmaker has the goal of reaching total carbon neutrality by 2050 and delivering electric options for all new vehicles by 2030.
Speaking in a conference with The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia yesterday, the Managing Director of Nissan Oceana Adam Paterson addressed consumer concerns about electric vehicles (EVs) being constantly upgraded.
“I don’t think waiting for tomorrow is compromising what you’re buying today when it comes to EVs and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine),” Mr Paterson said.
In addition to Nissan’s presence, Uber Australia General Manager Dominic Tyler spoke about the importance of electric rideshare services in the overall reduction of vehicles on the road.
Mr Tyler said rideshares would not only help free up prime city space currently used for parking but would also ease congestion. Furthermore, they could lower the overall cost of owning an EV if the car was used in a rideshare or carshare service.
