Asia Tech Wire (June 5) -- Chinese self-driving startup WeRide's self-driving minibus has hit Paris.

WeRide said Wednesday it has teamed up with French automaker Groupe Renault to provide the only shuttle service utilizing Level 4 self-driving minibuses to carry people during the 2024 French Open.

According to the company, its Mini Robobus is the world's first truly self-driving minibus to to be in large-scale commercial operation, and is currently in testing and operation in nearly 30 cities around the world.

WeRide said its long-term goal with Renault is to work together to build a localized version of the L4 self-driving minibus that meets the needs and requirements of the European market.

The Chinese company expects commercial demand for driverless minibuses in the European public transport sector to reach thousands per year in the next few years.

Founded in 2017 and backed by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, IDG Capital and others, WeRide is a company specialising in Level 4 autonomous driving technology.