Gasgoo Munich- WeRide and Uber have officially launched fully driverless Robotaxi operations in Dubai, marking one of the first commercial deployments of unmanned fleets in the city. Announced on March 31, the rollout represents a deepening of the two companies' autonomous mobility partnership and aligns with Dubai's broader ambition to transition a quarter of all trips to autonomous modes by 2030.
Image source: WeRide
With this launch, WeRide becomes the only company outside the United States currently offering fully driverless Robotaxi services on the Uber platform, underscoring its growing role in the global autonomous mobility ecosystem.
Backed by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the initial phase of operations is concentrated in high-traffic coastal districts such as Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Riders can hail the autonomous vehicles directly through a dedicated "Autonomous" category within the Uber app. Fleet operations are being managed by Tawasul, a leading UAE-based mobility operator, which will oversee day-to-day deployment and logistics.
The Dubai deployment builds on earlier milestones. WeRide began public Robotaxi services in the city in December 2025 and secured a full driverless operating permit from the RTA in February 2026, allowing it to expand across multiple key zones. These include major commercial and industrial hubs such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park (Phase 2), and Jabal Ali Industrial First, as well as suburban residential districts like Nad Al Sheba, Wadi Al Safa, Warsan, and Ras Al Khor. The service footprint also extends to logistics and maritime trade nodes, including Al Hamriya Port.
These locations represent some of Dubai's busiest corridors for mobility, logistics, and commerce. Under regulatory guidance, WeRide plans to steadily expand coverage to additional communities, reinforcing its long-term presence in the region. The rollout is also a key component of the UAE's smart mobility agenda and supports WeRide's broader ambition to deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally by the end of the decade.
WeRide's founder and CEO, Dr. Tony Xu Han, indicated that the company is committed to long-term operations in Dubai, with plans to scale up its fleet while maintaining a focus on service reliability and safety. He characterized the milestone as evidence of the company's technical maturity, strong partner ecosystem, and regulatory trust, positioning Dubai among the earliest cities to commercialize L4-level fully driverless mobility.
Uber's head of autonomous mobility and delivery, Sarfraz Maredia, described the deployment as a meaningful step in scaling driverless transport globally. He highlighted the company's long-term commitment to the UAE market and its vision of integrating autonomous and human-driven mobility into a unified, more efficient transport network, particularly amid evolving regional dynamics.
In a separate disclosure dated March 30, Uber revealed it holds approximately 5.82% of WeRide's Class A shares. The stake increase signals continued confidence in WeRide's technological capabilities, commercialization track record, and strategic alignment, reinforcing its standing as a key player in the global Robotaxi landscape.
WeRide's expansion in the Middle East has been building over several years. The company secured the UAE's first nation-level full-domain autonomous driving license in 2023, enabling testing and operations across public roads subject to emirate-level approvals. In November 2025, it launched the region's first fully driverless Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. More recently, in February 2026, WeRide and Uber committed to deploying at least 1,200 Robotaxis across key Middle Eastern cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The company's regional fleet has already surpassed 200 vehicles, with its Middle East Robotaxi operations achieving profitability—an early indicator of commercial viability in the sector.
