WeRide Drives Autonomous Future Across the Middle East with Uber Partnership
Dubai,UAE – Chinese autonomous driving technology firm โWeRide โis rapidlyโ expanding its Robotaxi servicesโข throughout the Middle East,solidifying its positionโฃ as a leader in the region’s burgeoning autonomous mobility โsector. A key partnership with Uber is fueling this growth, bringing fully driverless transportation closer to reality for residents and visitors alike.
Theโฃ collaboration reached a meaningful milestone recently with theโ launch of a dedicated “Autonomous” ride-hailing category within the Uber app in Abu Dhabi. This marks a global first for โuber, with WeRide being โthe exclusive Robotaxiโ providerโ integrated into โฃthe platform. Users in Abu Dhabi can now directly request a WeRide Robotaxi,โค capable of carrying up to five passengers, with pricing comparable to Uber’s Comfort tier.
as integrating with Uber, WeRide has seen a 20% increase in weekly ride requests, demonstrating growing consumer acceptance and accelerating โthe commercial viability of Robotaxi services.the network currently covers key areas including Yas, Saadiyat, Al Reem, and Al Maryah Islands, โคalongside routes serving Zayed International Airport.
WeRide’s journey in Abu Dhabiโข began with pilot programs in โ2021, evolving into a formal strategicโค agreement with Uber in September 2024. Initially, Uber utilized โa hybrid dispatch system, occasionally matching riders with WeRide vehicles.โ The โnew โขdedicated category streamlines the process and substantially expands access.
Beyond Abu Dhabi, WeRideโ is aggressively pursuing expansion across the region. A three-party agreement with Uber and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authorityโค (RTA) was announcedโฃ in April 2025,followed by a pilot permit secured from โthe RTA. Full driverless operations are anticipated in Dubai byโ 2026. Further demonstrating its regional commitment, WeRide secured Saudi Arabia’s first autonomous driving licenseโ in July, opening theโข door for pilot programs in Riyadh, including serviceโฃ at King Khalid International Airport.
Looking to the โfuture, WeRide plans to scale its Middle Eastern fleet to between 500 and 1,000 vehicles in the short term, with a long-term vision of deploying tensโข of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030. The company believes this expansionโ willโค be instrumental in building a โขsustainable and innovative autonomous transportation ecosystem throughoutโฃ the region. WeRide’s commitment, coupled with Uber’s reach, positions the two companies to reshape urban mobility in the Middle East and beyond.