Dubai Accelerates Into the Future with WeRide’s Autonomous Robotaxis
Dubai is steering full speed ahead into the future of smart mobility, and the latest milestone comes courtesy of WeRide, a global pioneer in autonomous driving technology. Earlier this month, WeRide proudly secured a self-driving vehicle trial permit from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), allowing the company to conduct Robotaxi trials within the bustling city. This endorsement marks Dubai as the 11th city globally—and notably, the second in the UAE—to welcome WeRide’s cutting-edge Robotaxis to its streets.
Showcased at the 2025 Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport (DWC), WeRide’s victories didn’t stop with the permit. The company clinched first place at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, pocketing nearly US$1 million in prize money. This accolade recognized WeRide’s technology leadership and ongoing contributions to the city’s ever-developing autonomous ecosystem. The event was graced by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. His Highness personally viewed WeRide’s Robotaxi GXR and commended the company’s role in shaping Dubai’s smart mobility landscape.
The Robotaxi GXR will initially navigate several key areas, focusing on Jumeirah’s major commercial districts along with residential neighborhoods such as Za’abeel First, Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, and Al Safa. Plans are well underway to broaden the service, eventually extending coverage to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport, and more central parts of downtown. The initial phase will feature a fleet of 50 Robotaxi GXRs, with ambitions to balloon that number to 1,000 across the Middle East in the near future. Looking further ahead, WeRide envisions deploying tens of thousands of these autonomous vehicles by 2030—underscoring Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global beacon of innovation.
WeRide has been steadily building momentum in Dubai for some time. Earlier this year, the company obtained its first batch of Dubai road test licenses and began testing on the city’s core roads. The next evolution in their trial program involves introducing Robotaxis on the Uber platform, equipped with on-board safety officers, within the current year. Fully driverless commercial operations are targeted for launch in 2026, heralding a new era of autonomous transport that prioritizes safety and efficiency.
At the DWC event, WeRide also forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RTA to collaborate on the Dubai Autonomous Zone. This partnership sets the stage for a concerted effort to position Dubai as a global innovation hub for autonomous technologies—not just in passenger transport but extending into logistics and urban mobility solutions.
WeRide’s footprint transcends Dubai, boasting operations or tests in 11 cities across five countries, including Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Ordos, Riyadh, Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore. Remarkably, the company is conducting fully driverless Robotaxi tests in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such endeavor outside China and the United States. This landmark initiative reaffirms WeRide’s status as a global leader—pushing the envelope on what’s possible for unmanned commercial operations.
Beyond the technology itself, WeRide distinguishes itself as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company, with autonomous vehicles having been tested or operated in more than 30 cities worldwide. The company has the unique distinction of holding autonomous driving permits in seven markets, including major hubs such as China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Powered by the versatile and cost-effective WeRide One platform, their technology spans from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomous capabilities, catering to diverse transport needs—whether in mobility, logistics, or sanitation sectors.
Recognized for its innovation and impact, WeRide earned spots on Fortune’s 2025 Change the World and Future 50 lists, signaling not only technological prowess but a vision that prioritizes shaping a smarter, cleaner, and more accessible future.
With WeRide’s pioneering Robotaxis now roaming Dubai’s dynamic streets, the city is clearly solidifying its reputation as a forward-thinking metropolis ready to embrace the autonomous revolution. The collaboration between visionary leadership, cutting-edge technology, and strategic planning promises a transportation ecosystem that’s safer, smarter, and more sustainable.
