Renault launches production of electric minibuses with Level 4 autonomous driving

The arrival of self-driving vehicles is taking longer than expected. The technology appears to be ready, but there are so many unforeseen events in everyday driving that a self-driving vehicle cannot be completely reliable. That is why several levels must be considered, each establishing its own standards. Level 1 is the minimum, and Level 5 is the maximum, which requires no intervention from a human driver.

Renault is applying an improved Level 2, which allows the vehicle to perform several maneuvers on its own, although at certain moments it requires the driver’s attention and action. The next level is 3, which improves on those standards and allows greater freedom. But always under the supervision of a human driver.

However, the French brand has decided to abandon this race in passenger cars and vans. In passenger transport vehicles, such as minibuses, it wants to go one step further and manufacture electric models with Level 4 autonomous driving capability.

In this case, it will work with the Level 4 autonomous driving technology of the Chinese company WeRide, with which it has partnered for this purpose. This technology will be applied to the platforms Renault uses for its electric vans. Manufacturing will start soon, and the first models resulting from this partnership are expected to be ready before the end of this decade.

For now, this technology is being used in buses built by WeRide. Two of these promotional models will enter service during the Roland Garros tennis tournament in Paris, so they can be tested in real conditions. WeRide’s full fleet consists of 700 units, of which 300 are minibuses. Currently, the necessary permits have been obtained for them to be tested in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

Recent changes in legislation in Germany and France allow the use of public transport with self-driving vehicles. In the case of Level 4 autonomous driving, the vehicle can operate without a driver and without controls, but under defined conditions, that is, on a closed circuit or on a very defined route without dense traffic.

The platform that will initially be used is the same one used by the Renault Master, but it is expected that later a new skateboard-type platform, currently being developed together with Volvo, will be used.