Autonomous driving technology company WeRide has obtained a trial permit from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to operate self-driving vehicles in the city. The approval marks a step toward commercial deployment of robotaxi services in the Middle East, where the company plans significant fleet expansion.
WeRide said its initial trial will involve 50 Robotaxi GXR vehicles operating in areas including Jumeirah, Za’abeel First, Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, and Al Safa. Future service areas are expected to include Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport, and central business districts. The company aims to begin fully driverless commercial operations in 2026.
The announcement coincided with WeRide winning first place at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, where it received nearly $1 million in prize money. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with the RTA to collaborate on the Dubai Autonomous Zone, which forms part of the city’s long-term mobility strategy.
WeRide plans to expand its Middle East fleet from 50 vehicles to 1,000 by the end of the decade, with a longer-term goal of deploying tens of thousands of robotaxis by 2030. As part of its rollout strategy, the company will also begin trial services through Uber’s platform, initially with on-board safety operators.
Dubai becomes the 11th city worldwide and the second in the UAE to host WeRide robotaxis, joining locations such as Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Singapore, and Zurich. In Abu Dhabi, the company is conducting fully driverless robotaxi testing, making it one of the few operators with active programs outside of China and the United States.