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Uber and China’s autonomous ride-hailing company WeRide have launched robotaxi services without a public safety operator in Dubai as part of an expansion into the Middle East.
Passengers can now reserve vehicles through the Uber app, operating in commercial and industrial districts such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Jabal Ali Industrial First, as well as urban areas and the Al Hamriya Port shopping center. The service is operated locally by Tawasul, a cruise and cruise operator in the United Arab Emirates.
The company first introduced robotaxis in Dubai in December under a pilot program, but did not charge for rides and had a public safety driver. The Roads and Transport Authority gave permission to test driverless cars to companies last month.
The deployment marks the rise of WeRide’s robotaxi services in the region. It’s also related to Uber’s growth in the company. Uber now owns a 5.82% stake in WeRide, according to archived documents Monday by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The equity value is worth about $400 million based on WeRide’s closing price on Monday.
“Bringing driverless cars to Dubai is an important milestone in making autonomous travel a global reality. This launch shows our commitment to the UAE and our vision of a hybrid world – where drivers and AVs work together to create a strong network. Especially during the challenging times in the region, we are proud to be a partner for Uber’s people to move with confidence at all times,” he said. Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous driving and delivery, said in a statement.
Uber invested $100 million joining WeRide in May 2025 as part of a robotaxi commercial partnership to serve 15 other cities over the next five years. These companies have already shared that increase it will include European cities.
Under the agreement, WeRide’s robotaxi services are available through the Uber app. The relationship is similar to Uber’s deal with Waymo, in which the ride-hailing company manages the network and fleet, while the autonomous car company retains responsibility for AV technology.
