The race to fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) is entering a critical phase, and industry leaders are increasingly acknowledging both the immense potential and inherent limitations of self-driving technology. In a recent interview, WeRide CEO and co-founder Huang Xuefeng emphasized that while autonomous driving cannot promise 100% safety, it has the potential to become ten times safer than human drivers within the next decade, signaling a paradigm shift in road safety and mobility.
A Candid Assessment of Autonomous Risk
Huang’s comments reflect a growing realism in the AV industry. Despite significant progress in sensors, machine learning, and real-time decision-making, perfect safety remains impossible in the near term. Factors such as unpredictable human behavior, inclement weather, and infrastructure variability mean that autonomous systems will always face edge-case scenarios that could lead to accidents.
Huang stated:
“No matter how advanced the technology, we cannot promise absolute safety. But what we can do is dramatically reduce risk. Our models suggest that AVs can be 10 times safer than humans by 2035.”
This acknowledgment is significant in a sector where some early proponents have overpromised fully autonomous, crash-proof vehicles.
Why Autonomous Vehicles Could Outperform Humans
Experts say the AV advantage comes from eliminating human error, which currently accounts for over 90% of traffic accidents worldwide. Key factors include:
| Factor | Human Driver | Autonomous Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction Time | Slow, inconsistent | Milliseconds, consistent |
| Attention | Easily distracted | 24/7 monitoring |
| Fatigue | Prone to accidents | Not applicable |
| Decision Under Stress | Emotional/impulsive | Algorithmic, data-driven |
| Compliance with Rules | Variable | Strict, programmable |
WeRide’s AI-driven platform integrates LiDAR, high-resolution cameras, and radar with advanced perception algorithms, allowing vehicles to predict pedestrian movement, anticipate other vehicles’ actions, and make split-second decisions that most human drivers could not.
The Path to Tenfold Safety
Huang outlined a roadmap for achieving 10x safer autonomous driving:
- Incremental deployment – AVs will first operate in controlled urban zones, reducing exposure to high-risk environments.
- Fleet learning – Every vehicle collects data to continuously improve algorithms.
- Infrastructure integration – Smart traffic signals and connected roads will enhance decision-making.
- Regulatory alignment – Governments will establish safety standards for AV deployment, ensuring public trust.
- Public adoption and behavioral adaptation – Gradual acceptance and learning to coexist with autonomous vehicles.
The Industry Context
WeRide is part of a growing global AV ecosystem. Companies like Waymo, Cruise, Tesla, and Baidu are racing to scale autonomous fleets. According to industry forecasts:
- Global autonomous vehicle market could reach $557 billion by 2029.
- Ridesharing fleets will be early adopters, reducing accident liability and operational costs.
- Private AV ownership will follow, driven by improved safety and convenience.
China, where WeRide is headquartered, is emerging as a global hub for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, supported by government initiatives to promote smart cities and AI-powered transportation.
Balancing Optimism With Reality
While Huang’s vision is ambitious, skeptics warn:
- Edge cases, such as unmarked construction zones, extreme weather, and unexpected human behavior, remain difficult to handle algorithmically.
- Public trust is fragile, especially after high-profile AV accidents in California and Arizona.
- Regulatory hurdles and cross-border standardization could delay mass deployment.
Nonetheless, Huang argues that gradual deployment and fleet data collection will address most safety challenges, and that AVs are fundamentally designed to reduce systemic risk, unlike human drivers.
Implications for Road Safety
If autonomous vehicles reach even a fraction of the 10x safety target, the impact on global traffic fatalities would be transformative. According to the World Health Organization:
- Road traffic accidents cause over 1.3 million deaths annually.
- A tenfold reduction could save over 1 million lives per year globally.
Beyond fatalities, fewer accidents would also reduce insurance costs, traffic congestion, and emergency response burdens, creating economic and social benefits far beyond individual drivers.
The Road Ahead
Huang concludes that autonomous vehicles represent a generational opportunity to redefine mobility. While perfection is unattainable, measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and accessibility are within reach:
“We cannot promise zero accidents, but we can make our streets dramatically safer. That’s the real goal—and it’s achievable within the next decade.”
WeRide plans to expand testing in Tier-1 Chinese cities and select U.S. urban zones, aiming to scale deployment while continuing to refine safety algorithms and regulatory compliance.
Final Thought
The promise of autonomous vehicles lies not in perfection, but in reducing human risk exponentially. Huang’s message is clear: AVs won’t be flawless, but they could be ten times safer than human drivers, reshaping the way people move, work, and live in cities worldwide.
