WeRide Arrives in Rovaltain: an autonomous shuttle now in real traffic

An innovative pilot project is underway at the Rovaltain business park, near Valence, with the introduction of France's first autonomous WeRide shuttle. We had the opportunity to test this service in real-life conditions and to meet the people behind the project at Beti, a subsidiary of the Bertolami group.

An autonomous shuttle... but designed for practical use.

With its 3.3 km loop, the shuttle links key points in the park, including the Valence TGV station, office areas and catering zones. Far from being a simple technological demonstrator, this project aims to meet real day-to-day mobility needs.

Benjamin Beaudet, Beti's Managing Director, and Nicolas Reymond, Director of Operations, described the trial as an essential step towards automated transport services accessible to all.

"The idea is not to carry out a test in a vacuum, but to provide a complementary transport solution that fits into a real ecosystem."

Three stages towards complete autonomy

The project follows a three-phase roadmap:

1. Remote supervision with an on-board operator.

2. Driving without an on-board operator, but with remote monitoring.

3. Complete autonomy, where the shuttle manages all situations on its own, always under hypervision.

   
   

This progressive model allows us to incorporate feedback from the field and adapt the technology to the regulatory and human challenges.

Hypervision: a new form of human presence

Contrary to certain preconceived ideas, automating a service does not mean doing away with human presence. On the contrary, in the case of Beti, the human presence remains at the heart of the system, through centralised hypervision.

"Supervision is becoming a new form of business: more strategic, more reactive, but just as essential for guaranteeing a high level of service," explains Nicolas Reymond.

Dury, H. (2023, 24 octobre). Les robotaxis chinois débarquent en Europe, la France s’y prépare. La Tribune. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/automobile/les-robotaxis-chinois-debarquent-en-europe-la-france-s-y-prepare-976216.html

This vision reinforces the idea that autonomous shuttles are not just a gadget, but a building block for tomorrow's mobility, capable of filling the gaps in service in suburban or sparsely populated areas.

A test... but above all a turning point

This project at Rovaltain is not just a technology test. It illustrates a transition towards an inclusive and resilient mobility-on-demand model, adapted to local needs. By integrating usage, regulatory constraints and human factors right from the design stage, Beti and its partners are laying the foundations for a more fluid, accessible and sustainable future.

To sum up

We are confirming one thing: autonomy is not in opposition to human beings, but rather an intelligent complement to them.