Uber Technologies is expanding its vehicle offerings in the UAE. On Wednesday, the mobility and delivery platform announced a strategic partnership with Guangzhou-based autonomous driving technology company, WeRide.
The partnership is set to debut in Abu Dhabi later this year, with a selection of WeRide vehicles available to customers through the Uber app. Once launched, riders requesting a qualifying trip on the Uber app will have the option to complete their journey with a WeRide autonomous vehicle. However, this partnership does not include any launches in the United States or in China.
Big news! We feel excited to partner with @Uber to bring @WeRide_ai’s autonomous vehicles onto the #Uber platform, beginning in the #UAE later this year. After launch, riders may be presented with the option of #WeRide #Robotaxi when requesting a qualifying ride on the Uber app. pic.twitter.com/2JS1OYQrwB
— WeRide.ai (@WeRide_ai) September 25, 2024
WeRide currently manages the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE, allowing residents to access its services through the TXAI app. Additionally, in July 2023, WeRide received the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, granting it permission to test and operate its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the Emirates. The Chinese AV tech company provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing a host of transportation needs across mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries.
“We are honored to partner with Uber to continue to bring our technology to global markets. Together, we aim to combine our collective experience and expertise to deliver much-needed, affordable, sustainable, and safe mobility solutions to a global audience, said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide.
The partnership deal was signed by Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of mobility and business operations at Uber, and Hua Zhong, senior vice president of WeRide. The signing ceremony was attended by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and WeRide’s Tony Han.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, acknowledged “that the future of mobility will be increasingly shared, electric, and autonomous, and we look forward to working with leading AV companies like WeRide to help bring the benefits of autonomous technology to cities around the world.”
