WeRide, a pioneering company in the field of autonomous driving, has just unveiled its latest model: the GXR Robotaxi. Marketed as the world’s most spacious autonomous vehicle to date, the GXR combines cutting-edge technology and passenger-focused design in a way that could very well redefine the future of public transportation. But with this technological leap forward, a question comes to mind: is this the autonomous vehicle that most resembles the UK’s traditional black taxi?

For decades, black taxis have been a symbol of London’s streets, renowned for their spacious interiors, ease of access and reliability. They are often cited for their unrivaled passenger experience, including generous legroom, smooth entry and exit, and in-depth knowledge of city streets. Now, WeRide’s GXR Robotaxi appears to check many of the same boxes, but not all.

The GXR certainly introduces some striking features. WeRide’s extensive experience operating autonomous vehicles is evident throughout the vehicle. The GXR uses a Level 4 autonomous driving system, one of the highest levels of automation currently possible, allowing it to navigate on public roads without human intervention.

WeRide’s technology has been refined over more than 1,800 days of Robotaxi public operation, covering a range of traffic conditions and challenges. At first glance, the GXR seems more focused on the future than the past. It is equipped with Sensor Suite 5.6, a system integrating more than 20 sensors, including high-performance LiDAR and high-definition cameras. These sensors provide 360° coverage around the vehicle, ensuring there are no blind spots and allowing the GXR to detect obstacles up to 200 meters away. This type of advanced technology puts it ahead of traditional vehicles in terms of perception and awareness on the road, but that’s not where the GXR’s appeal ends.

Where the GXR starts to feel like a modern take on the black cab is with its emphasis on space and accessibility for passengers. The vehicle design prioritizes interior space, as does the iconic black cabin, known for comfortably accommodating passengers with luggage or strollers. The GXR achieves this by completely eliminating the front passenger seat, providing a huge increase in cabin space, just like a black cab. Its second and third row seats provide ample legroom and the vehicle has an overall length of 5,018mm, making it one of the largest standalone models in production. This design ensures that passengers can spread out, which is vital for long journeys.

Another key parallel with the black cab is the GXR’s ease of entry. The Robotaxi incorporates a hidden B-pillar design, which allows the front and side doors to open simultaneously, creating a vast 1,831mm wide entrance. This feature makes entering and exiting the vehicle remarkably easy, much like the familiar black taxi, which has long been valued for its accessibility, especially for older passengers or people with disabilities.

With this, the GXR appears to be aimed at the same demographic that appreciates the black cabin for its user-friendly design. The GXR also incorporates a designated luggage area, accessible without the need to open a separate trunk. This is another nod to the practicality of the black taxi, where passengers are accustomed to loading their belongings into the vehicle itself, saving time and effort. It’s features like this that suggest WeRide has taken passenger comfort to heart, the same way the black cab has for years.

However, where the GXR departs from the traditional black cab is in its reliance on technology rather than human expertise. In London, taxi drivers undergo years of training to master “The Knowledge”, a detailed mental map of the city’s streets. This local expertise is part of what makes the black taxi such an efficient mode of transportation. With GXR, however, it’s all about machine learning and AI. The vehicle relies on WeRide’s advanced computer systems to handle complex traffic conditions, such as high-speed nighttime driving or congested city centers. Its high-performance computing platform can handle more than 1,300 TOPS (trillions operations per second), ensuring the vehicle can process the large amounts of data it collects in real time.

In many ways, the GXR offers a glimpse of what an autonomous future could look like, where traditional elements of comfort, space and ease of access meet advanced AI. But the question remains: will the public see this new means of transport as a worthy successor to the iconic black taxi? Or will the human element – ​​personal interaction, trust and knowledge – always reign supreme? Only time will tell if the GXR and vehicles of its ilk can truly replace a centuries-old institution on the streets of the UK when and/or if they enter the market in the coming years.