Uber and WeRide expand robotaxi services across Dubai

Ride-hailing platform Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have expanded their robotaxi operations in Dubai, introducing fully driverless rides without a human safety operator as part of a broader push into the Middle East.

Passengers can now book these autonomous vehicles directly through Uber’s app. The service is currently operating across several commercial and industrial zones, including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Jabal Ali Industrial First. It also covers suburban regions and extends to the maritime trading hub at Al Hamriya Port. Local operations are being managed by Tawasul, which oversees fleet and mobility services within the United Arab Emirates.

The two companies initially introduced robotaxi services in Dubai in December, beginning with a pilot phase. During that period, rides were offered free of charge and included a human safety operator onboard. Last month, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority granted a permit allowing the companies to proceed with driverless vehicle trials, enabling this latest rollout.

This launch is a significant step for WeRide’s robotaxi ambitions in the region and demonstrates Uber’s continued investment in and involvement with the company. According to filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, Uber currently holds a 5.82% stake in WeRide. The company invested $100 million into WeRide last year, and its equity position is now valued at approximately $150 million based on WeRide’s closing share price.

“Bringing fully driverless vehicles to Dubai is an important milestone in making autonomous mobility a global reality,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery. “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.”

Uber expanded its investment in WeRide in May 2025 as part of a broader commercial partnership to deploy robotaxi services in an additional 15 cities over the next five years. The companies have previously indicated that this expansion plan will include locations across Europe.

Under the current partnership structure, WeRide provides the autonomous driving technology that powers the robotaxis. At the same time, Uber integrates the service into its platform, managing ride requests, routing, and overall network operations. This arrangement mirrors Uber’s collaboration with Waymo, where Uber handles the customer-facing platform and logistics, while the autonomous vehicle partner remains responsible for the underlying self-driving systems.