French multinational automaker Renault has introduced a Level 4 autonomous vehicle tailored for public transport (i.e., fully autonomous vehicles limited to specific locations and/or conditions), with plans to start trials in Paris by transporting passengers to and from the Roland-Garros stadium during an upcoming tennis tournament in May.

The company is developing a new electric "miniBus platform" based on the Renault Master, enhanced with automation technology from partners like EasyMile, Milla, and WeRide.

Renault also notes the limited market potential for Level 3 autonomous cars, which require high technical capability for safe driving in complex conditions. Instead, it sees significant future demand for autonomous minibusses in public transport, particularly as urban areas increasingly adopt low-emission policies.

Analyst QuickTake: Renault’s strategy differs from other major automakers like General Motors, Hyundai, and Volkswagen which focus on autonomous passenger cars and robotaxi operations. Instead, it is concentrating on developing minibusses that can operate autonomously within specific areas without on-board drivers, aiming to supplement traditional public transport systems instead.