WeRide has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Uber to begin pilot operations of self-driving vehicles on the Uber app in Dubai later this year, with a full-scale commercial rollout of autonomous mobility services planned for 2026.
The partnership marks a major step forward in Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in driverless transportation, aligning closely with the emirate’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which targets 25% of all trips to be autonomous by 2030.
In a joint statement, the three organisations confirmed that field preparations for the pilot phase are already underway, with the RTA providing strategic oversight and regulatory support. The initial rollout will see autonomous vehicles operating with safety drivers onboard to monitor systems and ensure rider safety.
Dubai will be the second city in the region to host autonomous rides via Uber, following the successful launch of WeRide and Uber Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 — the first time Uber deployed autonomous vehicles outside the United States.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, stated: “The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap towards a smart and sustainable future for mobility, in line with the vision of our leadership to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city.
“It also supports the objectives of the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to convert 25% of all mobility journeys in the emirate into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030. This MoU reinforces Dubai’s global leadership in adopting advanced and sustainable transport solutions, embracing state-of-the-art technologies, and fostering innovative mobility initiatives.”
Building on the success of that programme, WeRide and Uber expanded their global partnership in May 2025 with a bold vision to deploy Robotaxis in 15 additional cities worldwide over the next five years.
The Dubai pilot will lay the groundwork for the city’s long-term autonomous transport ambitions, including expanding availability across different transit modes and urban zones.
According to RTA, the introduction of autonomous vehicles will enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of Dubai’s transport network while offering residents and visitors access to cutting-edge mobility options through familiar digital platforms like Uber.
The forthcoming pilot programme also underlines the broader shift taking place in regional transport policy, where public and private partnerships are accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence and automation into daily mobility solutions.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), along with Mr. Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer at Uber, and Mr. Ryan Zhan, Regional General Manager of Middle East and Africa at WeRide attended the MoU signing ceremony.
The agreement was signed for RTA by Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, RTA; for Uber by Mr. Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber; and for WeRide by Mr. Eric Dong, Director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development at WeRide, in the presence of senior officials from all parties.
Under the MoU, pilot operations of autonomous vehicles will begin later this year in Dubai
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, said: “We are accelerating our international expansion, with the Middle East as a strategic priority. Last month, we expanded our partnership with Uber to roll out Robotaxis in 15 additional cities over the next five years, with cities in the Middle East under consideration, and now, formalized our collaboration with Uber and the RTA to bring autonomous vehicles to Dubai through this MoU. We are fully aligned with the Dubai Government’s ambitious vision to make 25% of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030, and are proud to support this goal with our advanced technology and global experience.”
Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager, MEA at Uber said: “At Uber, we are building the future of transportation, one we see as autonomous, electric, and shared. Today we’re thrilled to ink our partnership with RTA to bring autonomous vehicle operations in the UAE by launching in Dubai in 2025, starting with WeRide as our first technology partner. This strategic collaboration anchors our commitment to make autonomous vehicles more accessible to people around the world and we’re excited to bring this experience to thousands of riders in Dubai later this year.”
This signing formalizes WeRide‘s partnership with Uber and RTA following their initial announcement in April 2025. It builds on the success of WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi since December 2024 — the first time autonomous vehicles were available on the Uber platform outside the US. In May 2025, WeRide and Uber further expanded their partnership to deploy Robotaxis in 15 additional major cities globally over the next five years.
In July 2023, WeRide received the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, authorizing testing and operation of all types of its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the country. With that, WeRide is the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in five markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the US.
WeRide has previously tested and deployed autonomous technologies in a range of international markets, including China, the U.S., and the UAE, with vehicle types ranging from Robotaxis and minibuses to autonomous sanitation vehicles.
The integration with Uber ensures that autonomous services in Dubai will be widely accessible through one of the world’s most recognised mobility apps, further normalising driverless travel for the general public.
More details on the pilot’s launch timeline, operational areas, and vehicle models are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
