Zurich Airport moves WeRide shuttle pilot to driverless Level 4
Zurich Airport is running two automated employee shuttles without an onboard safety driver, with staff monitoring the vehicles remotely.
- 2
- Level 4
- March 2025
- End of 2026
What Happened
At Zurich Airport, the pilot now has two shuttles moving without a person inside to take over. The current stage is Level 4: no safety driver rides inside, and staff monitor the service from a remote cockpit. Work with WeRide dates to March 2025. The pilot uses a set employee route that stays clear of aircraft taxiways. Before the current stage, a safety driver was still required on board. WeRide was selected after a tender process. Operation is planned through the end of 2026.
The partnership with WeRide dates to the airport's start of automated-driving work.
The two shuttles operate without an onboard safety driver and are monitored remotely.
The airport plans to run the two-shuttle operation through the end of 2026.
The vehicles carry employees on a defined route, and aircraft taxiways are not crossed. WeRide became the technology provider after a tender process.
The airport selected WeRide after a tender process. The project is intended to test automated driving within the airport's controlled operating environment.
The airport plans to run the two-shuttle operation through the end of 2026.
Why this matters
The pilot shows how automated driving can be introduced on a defined airport employee route before it is considered for wider operations. Zurich Airport is working with WeRide on the project, while the current service remains limited to a route that avoids aircraft taxiways.
Terms in This Story
- Level 4 automation
- A driving-automation stage in which a vehicle can complete a trip without a person in the driver's seat, within a defined area or set of conditions.
- safety driver
- An onboard person whose job is to watch an automated vehicle and take over the controls if something goes wrong.
- remote cockpit
- A control room away from the vehicle from which staff can watch an automated vehicle and intervene to help when needed.
- airside
- The restricted part of an airport beyond security where aircraft, vehicles and ground staff operate.
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