Pilot service operates with a ‘safety driver’ ahead of full driverless launch in early 2026
Dubai. Roads and Transport Authority. 11th December 2025:
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the launch of the pilot public Robotaxi service As of Today on the Uber app in Dubai, delivered in collaboration with WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technologies, and Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER). The step aligns with Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency at RTA, said: “WeRide Robotaxi vehicles booked through the Uber app will be available in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, two of Dubai’s most prominent areas located near public beaches. Members of the public across all segments of the community can book a WeRide Robotaxi through the Uber app by selecting the ‘Autonomous’ service option.”
He added: “This launch builds on the joint pilot programme between RTA and WeRide, which has, since the partnership announcement in April 2025, undergone successive testing to ensure a smooth transition towards autonomous mobility solutions. The service is currently operating with a specialist driver on board to ensure a safe and reliable experience, paving the way for a fully driverless service in early 2026.”
Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, said: “Our progress in Dubai is enabled by our autonomous driving technology that has been tested and validated worldwide. We are expanding rapidly across the Middle East and globally, driven by our vision to deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030. We are pleased to partner with forward-thinking regulators like RTA, who share a similarly bold commitment to advancing autonomous mobility, and with Uber, whose global platform will help accelerate the adoption of driverless transportation.”
Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous at Uber, said: ‘As the world’s largest hybrid network of human drivers and AVs, Uber is building the future of transportation, and we are thrilled by the pace of autonomous adoption in the UAE and the Middle East. This launch in Dubai is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the UAE’s vision for the future of mobility and contributes directly to Dubai’s goal of achieving 25% autonomous journeys by 2030.’
This launch reinforces Dubai’s pioneering role in smart mobility and supports WeRide and Uber’s plans to expand their operations in the region, with the aim of deploying thousands of autonomous vehicles in the coming years. WeRide currently operates about 150 autonomous vehicles in the Middle East, including more than 100 Robotaxis.
Dubai continues to witness steady population growth, now exceeding 4 million residents, which is driving higher mobility demand and increasing reliance on shared mobility and app-based ride-hailing services. In 2024, Dubai’s transport network recorded more than 153 million trips across public transport, taxis, and shared mobility, which includes app-based vehicle-booking services. Demand for shared mobility also rose by 28% compared with 2023, underscoring the growing need for more innovative and adaptable mobility solutions and creating an enabling environment for the development and expansion of autonomous vehicle services in the period ahead.
