Uber and the Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have launched robotaxi operations in Dubai without a human safety operator. This marks a broader expansion in the Middle East. Riders can now book the vehicles through Uber’s app in several districts, including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Jabal Ali Industrial First. The service also covers suburban areas and the maritime trading hub Al Hamriya Port. The local operations are managed by Tawasul, a mobility and fleet operator in the United Arab Emirates.
The companies first introduced robotaxis to Dubai in December under a pilot program. That initial phase did not charge for rides and included a human safety operator on board. Last month, the government’s Roads and Transport Authority issued a driverless vehicle trial permit to the companies, enabling this new phase.
This deployment signals an escalation in WeRide’s robotaxi operations in the region. It coincides with Uber’s increased stake in the company. Uber now holds a 5.82% stake in WeRide, according to recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on WeRide’s closing stock price, the equity stake is valued at approximately $400 million.
Uber invested $100 million into WeRide in May 2025 as part of a commercial robotaxi partnership. That agreement aims to bring service to another 15 cities over the next five years, including cities in Europe. Under the partnership, WeRide’s robotaxi services are available through the Uber app. This relationship is similar to Uber’s deal with Waymo, where Uber manages network routing and fleet operations while the autonomous vehicle company remains responsible for the self-driving technology.
In a statement, Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, said bringing fully driverless vehicles to Dubai is an important milestone in making autonomous mobility a global reality. The launch underscores Uber’s commitment to the UAE and a vision for a hybrid world where drivers and autonomous vehicles operate side-by-side to create a more resilient network.