WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava to discuss the deployment of autonomous vehicles and the future development of smart mobility solutions in Slovakia.

The meeting was attended by Slovak Minister of Transport Jozef Ráž, Director General of Strategic Planning and Coordination Ľubomír Slovák, and other government officials.

Organized by DiusAI, a local partner of the national ELEVATE Slovakia initiative, the meeting focused on WeRide's autonomous driving capabilities, global operations, and plans for the Slovak market. The company also provided an update on its local deployment roadmap following the arrival of its first autonomous vehicles in Slovakia earlier this month.

Prime Minister Fico expressed support for the introduction of autonomous driving technologies and emphasized the Slovak government's commitment to fostering innovation in transportation and emerging technologies.

Chinese Ambassador to Slovakia Cai Ge also met with representatives from WeRide and DiusAI on the same day, expressing support for cooperation in smart transportation and advanced mobility solutions.

As part of its expansion plans, WeRide intends to deploy a full portfolio of Level 4 autonomous driving products in Slovakia, including Robotaxi, Robobus, Robovan, and Robosweeper. The vehicles are designed to support a range of urban applications, including ride-hailing services, public transit, logistics delivery, and sanitation operations.

Initial testing activities will begin in Bratislava before expanding to Košice and the High Tatras region. Selected vehicle programs are expected to enter public commercial operation in 2026, with fully driverless services to follow upon completion of all regulatory approvals and safety requirements established by Slovak and European Union authorities.

The Slovakia project represents the latest milestone in WeRide's growing European footprint. The company is currently operating or advancing autonomous driving initiatives across five European markets: France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia.

In Spain, WeRide and Uber are preparing to launch a Robotaxi service later this year. In France, the company's Robobus has provided shuttle services at the French Open for three consecutive years and has entered fully driverless commercial operation in the Drôme region. In Switzerland, WeRide became the first company to obtain approval for fully driverless Robotaxi operations, while its Robobus service is operating at Zurich Airport without a front-seat safety operator. In Belgium, WeRide's Robobus is providing regular commercial passenger service in Leuven.

With the addition of Slovakia, WeRide continues to expand its commercial presence across Europe through multiple vehicle platforms, operational scenarios, and city deployments. The company believes these projects will contribute valuable operational experience for the broader adoption of autonomous driving technologies across Europe and beyond.