WeRide aims to expand its Middle East fleet to 1,000 vehicles and implement tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 26, 2025 — WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a prominent global company in autonomous driving technology, obtained a permit for self-driving vehicle trials from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) earlier this month, allowing it to begin Robotaxi trials in the city.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, alongside Dr. Tony Han, WeRide’s Founder and CEO
WeRide additionally achieved first place in the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, earning nearly US$1 million in prize money due to its advanced technological proficiency and continuous support for Dubai’s autonomous driving environment. The recognition occurred at the 2025 Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport (DWC), during which His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, toured WeRide’s Robotaxi GXR exhibit and underscored the company’s importance in developing Dubai’s future smart transportation.
WeRide’s Robotaxi GXR operating in Dubai
The initial Robotaxi GXR trial service from WeRide is set to encompass primary areas such as Jumeirah’s essential commercial zones and the residential neighborhoods of Za’abeel First, Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, and Al Safa. Subsequent operations are slated to expand to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport, and other downtown locations.
The launch will commence with 50 Robotaxi GXRs in Dubai, aiming to broaden the Middle East fleet to 1,000 vehicles and eventually introduce tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030. This permit establishes Dubai as the 11th city globally and the second within the UAE to implement WeRide Robotaxis.
Earlier this year, WeRide secured the initial set of Dubai road test licenses and has already initiated testing in the city’s central regions. During the subsequent phase, WeRide intends to begin trials, featuring an on-board safety officer, using the Uber platform later this year, with completely driverless commercial operations anticipated for 2026.
At the DWC, WeRide also formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RTA, detailing cooperation on the Dubai Autonomous Zone. This agreement underlines WeRide’s dedication to assisting Dubai’s evolution into a worldwide innovation center for autonomous technology spanning passenger transportation, logistics, and urban locomotion.
WeRide maintains its position as a global leader in autonomous mobility, conducting Robotaxi testing or operations in 11 cities across five countries — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Ordos, Riyadh, Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore.
Outside of Dubai, WeRide is undertaking fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi, distinguishing itself as the first and sole provider of fully driverless Robotaxi testing, soon to be operation, beyond China and the US. This signifies a vital move toward entirely unmanned commercial operations and emphasizes WeRide’s prominence not only in the Middle East but also internationally.
About WeRide
WeRide stands as a global pioneer and an early innovator in the autonomous driving sector, in addition to being the first publicly listed Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have undergone testing or operations in more than 30 cities across 11 nations. We are also the singular technology firm whose offerings have obtained autonomous driving permits in seven territories: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Driven by the intelligent, flexible, economical, and highly versatile WeRide One platform, WeRide delivers autonomous driving solutions and services ranging from L2 to L4, catering to transport requirements in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation domains. WeRide was recognized in Fortune’s 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 rankings.
Media Contact
pr@weride.ai
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