Uber and WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, have started robotaxi operations without human safety operators in Dubai, as part of a larger Middle East expansion. Riders can book these vehicles via Uber’s app, with service in areas like Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, Jabal Ali Industrial First, Al Hamriya Port, and suburban zones. Tawasul, a UAE-based mobility and fleet operator, manages local services.
Initially, the companies introduced Dubai to robotaxis in a December pilot program, which didn’t charge fares and included human safety operators. A driverless vehicle trial permit was issued by the Roads and Transport Authority last month.
This launch elevates WeRide’s robotaxi presence in the region and aligns with Uber’s increased ownership in the company. As per recent filings with the U.S. SEC, Uber holds a 5.82% stake in WeRide, valued around $400 million based on recent stock prices.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, stated, “Launching fully driverless vehicles in Dubai marks a significant step towards global autonomous mobility. This exemplifies our commitment to the UAE and vision for integrating drivers and AVs to bolster network resilience. During these challenging regional times, we proudly partner with this city, ensuring Uber is consistently available to facilitate seamless, confident movement.”
Uber invested $100 million in WeRide in May 2025 to support robotaxi expansion into 15 additional cities within five years, which will include European cities. This partnership allows WeRide’s robotaxi services to be accessed through the Uber app, similar to Uber’s arrangement with Waymo, where Uber manages network routing and fleet operations, while the autonomous vehicle company provides the AV technology.