Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have commenced operations of their driverless robotaxis in Dubai, marking a significant step in the expansion of autonomous transport in the Middle East. This initiative allows riders to book the vehicles directly via Uber’s app, covering key areas such as Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jabal Ali Industrial First, as well as suburban locations and the maritime hub of Al Hamriya Port. Local mobility and fleet operator Tawasul is managing the operations.
Previously, the companies introduced robotaxi services in a pilot scheme in December, which involved a human safety operator and offered rides free of charge. Recently, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority granted permission for driverless vehicle trials, paving the way for this latest rollout.
The deployment signals an increased commitment by WeRide to enhance its robotaxi operations in the region, coinciding with Uber’s growing investment in the company. Following recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, it has been disclosed that Uber now owns a 5.82% stake in WeRide, valued around $400 million based on the company’s stock price.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, emphasised the significance of introducing fully autonomous vehicles in Dubai, describing it as a pivotal moment toward realising global autonomous mobility. He expressed Uber’s dedication to the UAE and its vision for harmonising the coexistence of human drivers and autonomous vehicles to foster a robust transportation network.
In May 2025, Uber invested $100 million into WeRide as part of a strategy to extend robotaxi services to an additional 15 cities over the next five years, including potential expansions into European cities. The partnership enables WeRide’s robotaxi services to be accessed through the Uber platform, akin to Uber’s collaboration with Waymo, where Uber takes charge of network operations while the technology on the vehicles is managed by WeRide.
As the autonomous vehicle landscape evolves, this collaboration showcases a significant stride in transforming urban mobility, bringing the future of transport closer to reality in Dubai and beyond.
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