In an exciting development for urban mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD). This partnership aims to enhance the city’s transportation landscape by introducing pilot operations of autonomous vehicles by the end of this year via the Uber app.
The initial phase of this program will include autonomous vehicles operating with a safety driver present, serving as a crucial step before the full-scale commercial rollout of driverless services is projected for 2026. Field preparations for the pilot phase are currently underway, facilitated by Uber and WeRide, with strategic oversight from RTA.
The MoU signing ceremony featured notable figures such as His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, Mr. Madhu Kannan from Uber, and Mr. Ryan Zhan from WeRide. Each party was represented at the signing by their respective high-level officials, underscoring the importance of this agreement.
His Excellency Al Tayer expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, lauding both Uber and WeRide for choosing Dubai as a global hub for the expansion of autonomous vehicle operations. He stated, “The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap towards a smart and sustainable future for mobility.” This initiative aligns with the broader vision of the city to become the world’s smartest city while also supporting goals to convert 25% of all mobility journeys into autonomous trips by 2030.
Al Tayer further elaborated on the implications of autonomous vehicles, highlighting their potential to enhance road safety, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and ensure seamless integration across the public transport network. This initiative is part of a larger framework known as the First and Last-Mile Strategy, which aims to facilitate easier access to final destinations within Dubai.
The conversation around autonomous mobility is no longer confined to futuristic imaginings; it’s a pressing reality. Al Tayer noted how global companies are ramping up their efforts to develop the necessary technologies and software for autonomous vehicles, while governments, through their various agencies, are advancing infrastructure development and creating regulatory frameworks to enable the operation of self-driving vehicles.
Frans Hiemstra, Uber’s Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the company’s commitment to building a future of transportation that is autonomous, electric, and shared. He said, “This strategic collaboration anchors our commitment to make autonomous vehicles more accessible to people across the globe and we’re excited to bring this experience to thousands of riders in Dubai later this year.”
WeRide’s CFO and Head of International, Jennifer Li, also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership. She mentioned the company’s strategic priority in the Middle East and noted their focus on aligning with Dubai Government’s ambitious vision to transition to 25% autonomous transportation by 2030. Their technology and global experience will play a key role in supporting this goal.
