Chinese self-driving company WeRide has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to test its driverless cars in California. The three-year permit allows WeRide.ai to test their cars in San Jose and nearby areas. They can test with or without a driver, but they cannot offer rides to the public or charge for the rides.

WeRide.ai has 12 test vehicles and plans to operate and test them in the approved areas. The company, founded in 2017, already had permission to test without passengers in California starting in 2021, giving them valuable experience. Besides taxis, WeRide.ai is also working on self-driving trucks, buses, and street sweepers, and has received driverless car permits in Singapore and the UAE.

Even though new U.S. policies might restrict cars with Chinese-developed systems, WeRide.ai is preparing for an IPO in New York, aiming for a $5 billion valuation. This shows their confidence in future growth and highlights their leadership in self-driving technology.

In contrast, Alphabet's Waymo is currently the only company in the U.S. offering paid rides with driverless taxis, operating about 700 vehicles.