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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 reflects the growth of WeRide’s robotaxi services in the region and Uber’s continued involvement in the company. Uber has a 5.82% stake in WeRide, according to archived documents Monday by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Last year, that invested $100 million at WeRide. Uber’s equity value is worth about $150 million based on WeRide’s closing price on Monday.
“Bringing driverless cars to Dubai is a key step towards making autonomous mobility a global reality,” Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of driving and delivery, said in a statement. “This launch shows our commitment to the UAE and our vision of a hybrid world – where drivers and AVs work together to create a sustainable network. Especially in difficult times in the region, we are proud to partner with this city, ensuring that Uber is always there to help people travel freely and confidently.”
Uber increase its investment in 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 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.
Correction March 31 at 12:15 pm PT: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that Uber had added a feature to WeRide. An earlier version of the story also missed Uber’s share price in WeRide. It’s about $150 million as of Monday.
