Zurich Airport has partnered with Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide to deploy two L4 autonomous electric shuttle buses. The project, which has been in a phased testing stage since March 2025, aims to ensure compliance with European Union regulations and safety standards for autonomous vehicles.
The shuttle buses operate without onboard safety drivers, though they remain under remote supervision. If necessary, remote operators can take control of the vehicles. Zurich Airport confirmed that this operational model meets the project's defined L4 autonomous driving objectives.
Raphaël Glaesener, Senior Innovation Manager at Zurich Airport, stated that the initial phase of the deployment will not involve passengers. Following a four-week testing period, the airport plans to allow employees to use the autonomous shuttles for transportation.
This initiative is part of a broader pilot program at Zurich Airport focused on reducing carbon emissions through electrification. The shuttles operate on fixed routes that avoid aircraft taxiways and runways. Partners Swissport and Krummen Kerzers are providing staff for remote monitoring.
