Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) said on Sunday it has secured Saudi Arabia’s first permit for robotaxi operations, marking a key milestone in its international expansion and making it the only autonomous driving technology firm to hold permits in six countries.
“This permit marks a major step in our global expansion, enabling us to scale robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” said Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide.
With the new authorization, WeRide is now licensed to operate autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, France, and the United States. The permit allows nationwide robotaxi deployment in the Kingdom, with pilot operations currently underway in Riyadh in collaboration with Uber and local partner Ai Driver.
The pilot project began earlier this month, covering high-traffic locations such as King Khalid International Airport and major roads in Riyadh, including downtown areas. A full-scale commercial robotaxi service is expected to launch by the end of 2025, according to the company.
In addition to its robotaxi service, WeRide is piloting its Robobus in selected areas in Saudi Arabia. The company’s Robosweeper S1 has also been deployed at King Fahad Medical City and the Riyadh Second Health Cluster. According to WeRide, the sanitation project is the first profitable autonomous driving application of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.
WeRide entered the Saudi Arabian market in May and is accelerating its presence through multiple service verticals. The company, founded in 2017, was listed on the Nasdaq in October 2024 and has been among the pioneers in China’s smart mobility industry.
In September 2024, WeRide partnered with Uber to advance the integration of its autonomous vehicles on the ride-hailing platform, a collaboration now being put into practice through the pilot in Riyadh.