Deployment of two highly automated shuttles in Leuven
A unique and transversal approach
A unique feature of the project lies in the diversity of its stakeholders. For the first time, public actors from Belgium’s three regions are joining forces in a single initiative: the City of Leuven, Brussels Mobility (the regional transport authority), and the three national public transport operators – De Lijn, STIB-MIVB, and TEC, the whole coordinated by Espaces-Mobilités. This broad collaboration is essential: it allows different regions and operators to share expertise, test common approaches, and build a collective learning framework for the deployment of autonomous vehicles in Belgium’s public transport systems.
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EU-funded project
The project is funded by EIT Urban Mobility, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable mobility. This initiative is part of Mobility Masterclass, a comprehensive training programme launched in 2022 that has already attracted over 500 participants on innovative topics such as Mobility Data, Urban Logistics, Digital Twins or Autonomous Mobility.
A cutting edge technology
The vehicles will be provided by the Chinese company WeRide (www.weride.ai), in which the Renault Group is a shareholder. Successful demos have already been carried out with WeRide vehicles in Paris and Barcelona and have been deployed in Valence (France) and more recently in Zurich.
What is autonomous mobility ?
Mobility transformation
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) represent a unique opportunity to transform cities and mobility. By reducing dependency on private cars, which contribute to congestion and pollution, they could allow for the reclamation of vast urban spaces to be converted into parks, affordable housing, or pedestrian zones, thereby creating healthier and more dynamic environments.
These technologies have the potential to significantly improve road safety, reduce traffic jams, and solve parking problems. Beyond city centers, autonomous mobility solutions can offer "last-mile" connectivity and reliable transportation to underserved areas and people with reduced mobility.
By integrating into a broader vision of urban planning, autonomous mobility will allow shuttles and buses to run continuously, making public transport truly universal, accessible, and sustainable.
Anticipate the potential threats
However, autonomous mobility may also pose a threat to our regions if this technological transition does not benefit shared mobility and if personal cars are equipped with automated driving systems that further reinforce single-occupancy car use.
The year 2025 undoubtedly marks a historic turning point in the field of autonomous mobility with the rise of a number of global players, mainly American and Chinese, developing autonomous mobility services. All these reasons have prompted the project partners to join forces to learn together and ensure that Belgium is ready to support this revolution.
Self-driving technologies
Self-driving technologies represent a revolutionary leap in automotive engineering, aiming to transform transportation by enabling vehicles to operate autonomously. At their core, these advanced systems integrate a complex array of hardware and software components to perceive, understand, and navigate the world without human intervention. There are six levels of autonomous driving, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International. These levels categorize the degree to which a vehicle can drive itself, ranging from no automation to full automation.
CAMERAS
provide visual information, allowing the system to identify lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and other vehicles and pedestrians. They are essential for object recognition and classification
RADARS
emit radio waves and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back, providing information about the distance, speed, and angle of objects, even in adverse weather conditions like fog or heavy rain.
LIDARS
use pulsed laser light to measure distances, creating highly detailed 3D maps of the environment. Lidar is particularly effective for precise object detection and mapping.
PERCEPTION
AI enables the vehicle to interpret sensor data, accurately identifying and tracking other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, road signs, and obstacles.
Prediction
Based on current and historical data, the AI predicts the likely behavior of other road users, allowing the vehicle to anticipate potential risks and plan accordingly.
Decision-Making
The AI makes critical decisions, such as when to accelerate, brake, change lanes, turn, or respond to unexpected events. These decisions are based on predefined rules, learned patterns, and real-time environmental data.
Mapping and Localization
High-definition maps provide detailed information about roadways, intersections, and landmarks, while localization software uses sensor data to pinpoint the vehicle's exact position on these maps.
Path planning
Algorithms calculate the optimal route to a destination, considering traffic, road conditions, and safety.
Motion control
This software translates the AI's decisions into precise commands for the vehicle's steering, acceleration, and braking systems, ensuring smooth and controlled maneuvers.
About WeRide
The vehicles will be provided by WeRide (www.weride.ai), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, in which the Renault Group is a shareholder.
WeRide’s autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 11 countries, including Paris (France), Barcelona (Spain), Valence (France), Zurich (Switzerland) and now Leuven (Belgium).
WeRide in Europe
Paris, France
WeRide's presence in Europe has been significantly bolstered by its collaboration with the Renault Group on pilot projects and demonstrations, particularly the successful deployment of autonomous shuttles during the Roland Garros tennis tournament in Paris in June 2024 and 2025. This project showcased WeRide's Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology in a high-profile, real-world scenario, demonstrating its capability to operate safely and efficiently in dynamic urban environments with significant pedestrian traffic. The shuttles provided transport services for attendees and staff during the prestigious event, highlighting the potential for autonomous vehicles to enhance event mobility and contribute to sustainable transport solutions.
Barcelona, Spain
WeRide has successfully conducted a pilot project in March 2025 in Barcelona which received the required authorization from Barcelona City Council and the Directorate General of Traffic. The circular itinerary of more than 2 kilometers with four stops in the city centre allowed riders to easily and safely discover autonomous driving in real traffic.
Valence, France
WeRide operates two autonomous shuttles in Valence, France since December 2024. This project is a collaboration with Beti, a French autonomous mobility service operator, and Macif, a French mutual insurance group. The shuttles are operated on a designated route connecting key points within a business park and the train station. This route was chosen to demonstrate the shuttle's ability to navigate various urban scenarios, including areas with mixed traffic, pedestrian crossings, and different road configurations.
Zurich, Switzerland
WeRide is deploying autonomous shuttles at Zurich Airport as part of a pilot project with the aim of connecting the airport's various terminals and parking areas. The project demonstrated the shuttles' capability to operate in a complex, high-traffic environment, providing efficient and reliable transport for passengers and staff within the airport premises. This initiative highlights the potential of autonomous vehicles to optimize operational logistics and enhance passenger experience in large-scale transportation hubs.
Frequently asked questions
Mobility Masterclass est un projet d'Espaces Mobilités soutenu par EIT Urban Mobility, une initiative de l'Institut européen d'innovation et de technologie (EIT), un organe de l'Union européenne. EIT Urban Mobility agit pour accélérer les changements positifs en matière de mobilité afin de rendre les espaces urbains plus vivables.
Pour en savoir plus : www.eiturbanmobility.eu