Barcelona: Offering a sneak peek into the future of public transportation, a driverless mini-bus has been cruising through downtown Barcelona- giving commuters a chance to experience autonomous travel free of charge.
The electric autonomous vehicle, developed by Renault in partnership with WeRide, has been operating along a 2.2-kilometer (1.3-mile) circular route with four designated stops. The initiative allows passengers to experience cutting-edge driverless technology in a real-world setting.
The mini-bus smoothly accelerates, brakes, and changes lanes independently, making its way through Barcelona’s renowned Passeig de Gracia boulevard.
Renault’s project aims to advance Europe’s standing in driverless vehicle technology, an industry where the United States and China have been leading the charge. Patrick Vergelas, head of Renault’s autonomous mobility projects, said that, “The US is doing a lot of experimentation with autonomous vehicles, the same thing in China. Until now, we don’t have a lot in Europe. This is why we want to show that this works and prepare Europe for this route in public transportation.”
@WeRide_ai x @renaultgroup : Autonomous Robobus arrives in Barcelona!
From March 10-14, WeRide’s Level-4 autonomous Robobus will operate in real traffic conditions in the city center—Spain’s first trial of its kind.
– 2km circular route with stops at Passeig de Gracia & Rambla… pic.twitter.com/u5nBpV6jVj
— WeRide.ai (@WeRide_ai) March 11, 2025
The electric bus boasts an impressive range of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per charge and can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph). It is equipped with 10 cameras and eight lidar sensors, ensuring it can safely navigate a busy city environment filled with cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
Barcelona city officials have confirmed that no accidents have been reported during the trial period, reinforcing confidence in the technology’s viability.
As autonomous transport trials continue in cities worldwide including San Francisco and Tokyo- Barcelona’s experiment serves as an important step in shaping the future of European public transportation.
