Global ride-hailing giant Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle developer WeRide have officially activated fully driverless robotaxi operations in Dubai.
The rollout removes human safety operators from the vehicles, moving the service out of its pilot phase and opening a new commercial chapter for autonomous mobility in the Middle East.
Quick Facts
- Fully driverless robotaxis now bookable in Dubai.
- Operated locally by UAE mobility firm Tawasul.
- Uber holds an estimated $150 million stake in WeRide.
Autonomous Mobility Expands Across the UAE
The commercial launch follows a pilot program initiated in December, which offered free rides with a safety driver present. Following a driverless vehicle trial permit issued by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) last month, the companies have shifted to fully autonomous, paid operations.
Users can now book a robotaxi directly through the Uber app.
The service initially targets key commercial, industrial, and suburban zones. Current operational districts include Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, Jabal Ali Industrial First, and the maritime hub of Al Hamriya Port.
On the ground, fleet operations and local management are handled by Tawasul, a UAE-based mobility and fleet operator.
This structure mimics Uber’s existing autonomous frameworks, where the ride-hailing platform manages network routing and user demand, while the autonomous vehicle partner supplies the core technology.
“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.”
Strengthening the Uber and WeRide Alliance
The Dubai deployment highlights a deepening financial and operational relationship between the two tech companies.
Recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reveal that Uber holds a 5.82% equity stake in WeRide, valued at approximately $150 million based on recent market pricing. This follows a $100 million capital injection from Uber into the autonomous vehicle maker last year.
Uber increased its investment in WeRide in May 2025 to fuel a broader commercial strategy. The partners plan to launch robotaxi services in 15 additional cities over the next five years, with European markets explicitly targeted for future expansion.
About WeRide
Founded in 2017, WeRide is a global developer of Level 4 autonomous driving technologies. The company operates across multiple mobility segments, including robotaxis, robobuses, robovans, and robosweepers, with active testing and commercial operations scaling across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Source: TechCrunch
