WeRide begins Saudi Arabia's first Robotaxi trial operation in Riyadh

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 23, Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide launched Saudi Arabia's first-ever Robotaxi pilot service in the capital city of Riyadh, marking a rapid advance into the Kingdom's emerging smart mobility landscape, according to a post on the company’s WeChat account.

Less than two months after announcing its entry into the Saudi market in May, WeRide has officially rolled out the country's only Robotaxi trial, underlining its agility and execution in international deployment.

WeRide begins Robotaxi trial operation in Riyadh; photo credit: WeRide

The pilot program is being conducted on public roads under the oversight of Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA). Service areas include King Khalid International Airport and key downtown districts across Riyadh, with routes extending to major highways. The Robotaxi fleet, supplied by WeRide, is being integrated into the Uber platform, with several dozen vehicles deployed in this initial phase.

Riyadh becomes the third market where WeRide and Uber have partnered on Robotaxi operations, following previous launches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The two companies aim to transition from pilot to full commercial service in Riyadh by the end of 2025.

WeRide's debut in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in its Middle East expansion strategy and directly supports the country's "National Transport & Logistics Strategy" and "Vision 2030" goals, both of which prioritize the adoption of innovative, safe, and sustainable transportation solutions.

In preparing for the pilot, WeRide said it led regulatory engagement, successfully registered and licensed the country's first Robotaxi, and completed extensive localized model training. The company also oversaw technical integration with the Uber app, showcasing its adaptability and speed in executing complex international deployments.

WeRide first announced its entry into Saudi Arabia this May, outlining plans to begin testing and operating autonomous mobility solutions with backing from the TGA. The company has worked closely with Uber and AiDriver to complete groundwork for the Robotaxi rollout.

Alongside the Robotaxi pilot, WeRide has been expanding its autonomous product portfolio in Saudi Arabia. Its self-driving minibus, Robobus, has been deployed in various locations including King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential communities, AlUla, and The Ritz-Carlton. Meanwhile, its Robosweeper S1—an autonomous street-cleaning vehicle—has begun operations at King Fahad Medical City, marking the region's first commercial autonomous sanitation project.