WeRide is integrating its self-driving robotaxis into Dubai’s public transportation system through a partnership with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Uber Technologies Inc, helping to ensure AVs become an easily accessible and reliable part of everyday life in the city.
Renowned for its safe and reliable performance, WeRide made history in July 2023 by securing the UAE’s first national license for self-driving vehicles on public roads – the first national-level driverless license in the Middle East and even globally, covering all types of autonomous vehicles. WeRide’s latest launch in Dubai follows its successful robotaxi launch in Abu Dhabi in 2021, making it the leading autonomous mobility technology provider in the Middle East. This launch also represents the second city in the region where WeRide and Uber are collaborating to bring cutting-edge autonomous mobility solutions to the public.
“This partnership with Uber, starting with WeRide as the technology partner, represents a crucial step in advancing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform 25% of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030,” said His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, director general, chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA. “This collaboration underscores RTA’s commitment to engaging with global technology leaders and forms part of a series of autonomous mobility trials launched in 2016, which have grown in diversity over the past years.”
“Dubai marks a natural step forward in our commitment to advancing mobility in the Middle East as well as our continued global expansion,” added Jennifer Li, CFO and head of international business at WeRide. “We believe our advanced autonomous driving technology and operational experience combined with Uber’s powerful global mobility platform will help us serve millions of consumers in cities around the world.”
WeRide, Uber and RTA will collaborate on pilot programs, leveraging Uber’s technology to match riders with WeRide’s robotaxis while ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. The partnership will also explore data insights, safety protocols and regulatory frameworks to support a smooth transition to autonomous mobility in Dubai.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to bring autonomous vehicles onto the Uber platform, starting with our technology partner WeRide,” noted Noah Zych, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery operations. “At Uber, we’re building the future of transportation, working with the world’s leading autonomous vehicle developers to help commercialize and deploy this technology at scale around the world. With WeRide as our first AV technology partner in the UAE, we’re providing riders with a reliable and forward-thinking mobility solution that aligns with the country’s ambitions for smart cities and future transport.”