The Chinese autonomous vehicle firm WeRide and Uber have initiated fully driverless robotaxi services in Dubai, marking a significant step in their wider expansion across the Middle East.
Patrons are now able to reserve these vehicles via the Uber application. These services are active across commercial and industrial zones, encompassing areas such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Jabal Ali Industrial First, alongside residential outskirts and the prominent naval trade center, Al Hamriya Port. Tawasul, a transport and fleet management enterprise within the United Arab Emirates, manages the service locally.
Initially, the entities brought robotaxis to Dubai in December as part of an experimental scheme. During that phase, they offered complimentary journeys and still required a human safety supervisor within the vehicles. The state’s Roads and Transport Authority subsequently granted an autonomous vehicle testing license to the companies the previous month.
This implementation signifies an intensification of WeRide’s robotaxi services in the area and Uber’s sustained engagement with the corporation. Uber possesses a 5.82% ownership share in WeRide, as per documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. The previous year, it allocated $100 million towards WeRide. Uber’s shareholding is estimated at approximately $150 million, contingent on WeRide’s share value at market close on Monday.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head overseeing autonomous mobility and delivery, commented in a statement: “Bringing fully driverless vehicles to Dubai is an important milestone in making autonomous mobility a global reality.” He added, “This launch underscores our deep commitment to the UAE and our vision for a hybrid world — where drivers and AVs operate side-by-side to create a more resilient network. Especially during challenging times in the region, we are proud to be a partner to this city, ensuring that Uber is always there to help people move seamlessly and with confidence.”
In May 2025, Uber augmented its capital infusion in WeRide, within the framework of a business collaboration on robotaxis, aiming to extend services to an additional 15 urban centers during the forthcoming half-decade. The companies had earlier disclosed that this growth would encompass cities across Europe.
Pursuant to this collaboration, WeRide’s robotaxi services can be accessed via the Uber application. This arrangement mirrors Uber’s agreement with Waymo, where the transportation network firm manages route optimization and vehicle management, while the self-driving vehicle enterprise retains accountability for the autonomous vehicle technology.
Correction March 31 at 12:15 p.m. PT: An earlier rendition of this article erroneously reported that Uber had augmented its stake in WeRide. Additionally, an earlier version of this article inaccurately presented the worth of Uber’s equity holding in WeRide. Its valuation stands at approximately $150 million as of Monday.
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