Dubai took a major leap toward its autonomous transport future today as Uber Technologies and WeRide announced a strategic partnership with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA).
The collaboration will integrate WeRide's self-driving vehicles into Uber’s ride-hailing platform, marking a critical step in Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy to convert 25% of all trips to autonomous modes by 2030.
Key Highlights
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Uber will deploy WeRide’s autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Dubai, starting with controlled trials before scaling operations.
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Riders can book AVs via Uber’s app, with WeRide providing the Level 4 autonomous driving system.
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The initiative builds on WeRide’s 2023 UAE national AV license and follows its successful Abu Dhabi launch in December last year.
Further pilot details, including routes, pricing and public engagement, will be unveiled later this year. The RTA confirmed this initiative aligns with broader efforts to cut traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, emphasised Dubai’s commitment to global tech partnerships, calling this a pivotal move in the emirate’s AV testing program which started in 2016.
Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility, highlighted the alliance’s role in commercialising AVs at scale, while Jennifer Li of WeRide noted Dubai’s strategic importance in the company’s Middle East expansion.