Autonomous driving company WeRide and ride-hailing platform Uber Technologies said they will deploy at least 1,200 robotaxis across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh by 2027, in what the companies described as the largest commercial robotaxi commitment in the Middle East and North Africa.
The vehicles will be available through the Uber app and rolled out progressively, subject to regulatory approvals and operational milestones. The three cities are part of a broader plan announced earlier by the partners to launch robotaxi services in 15 cities globally, with 12 additional locations expected by 2030.
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The announcement builds on existing operations in the region. WeRide and Uber already run fully driverless commercial robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, while passenger operations are underway in Dubai and Riyadh. WeRide currently operates more than 200 robotaxis across the Middle East.
In Abu Dhabi, the companies said robotaxis are completing dozens of trips per vehicle each day and are approaching breakeven unit economics, a benchmark they see as critical for scaling the service to larger fleets.
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“Today’s announcement marks the largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region,” said Tony Han, founder and chief executive of WeRide. “Supported by our existing fleet, bold regulators, and partners like Uber who share our ambition for safe and convenient mobility, this commitment accelerates our regional expansion.”
Uber said the expansion reflects the performance of the initial deployments and growing demand for autonomous mobility in the region. “It is a testament to the strong performance of our existing deployments together, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we introduce more riders to autonomous mobility,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery.
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Under the partnership’s asset-light model, Uber or local partners manage fleet operations, while WeRide supplies autonomous driving technology and software. The approach is intended to reduce capital intensity while enabling faster geographic expansion.
WeRide said its autonomous vehicles have been tested or deployed in more than 40 cities across 11 countries and that it holds autonomous driving permits in markets including China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, several European countries and the United States.
The Middle East has emerged as a key growth market for robotaxi operators, supported by government-led smart mobility strategies and relatively flexible regulatory frameworks compared with other regions.
