In a landmark development for autonomous transportation, Chinese technology firm WeRide has unveiled plans to deploy 1,200 robotaxis across major Middle Eastern cities by 2027. The ambitious initiative will see self-driving vehicles operational in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh through integration with the Uber application platform.
This expansion builds upon existing autonomous operations already established in the region. Currently, over 200 WeRide vehicles are conducting passenger services, with the fleet scheduled for progressive scaling as regulatory approvals and performance benchmarks are achieved. The company characterizes this deployment as the most substantial commercial robotaxi commitment ever made in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Dubai’s transportation infrastructure has already incorporated this technology in prominent districts including Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, areas renowned for their proximity to public beach facilities. During the current pilot phase, these autonomous vehicles operate with specialized safety drivers onboard to ensure operational reliability and passenger security.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive of Dubai’s Public Transport Agency, emphasized that this pilot program directly supports Dubai’s comprehensive Self-Driving Transport Strategy. The emirate has established an ambitious target of converting 25 percent of all transportation journeys to autonomous modes by 2030.
The technological rollout represents a significant advancement in smart city infrastructure and sustainable transportation solutions for the region. It demonstrates growing confidence in autonomous vehicle technology among Middle Eastern regulators and transportation authorities while potentially transforming urban mobility patterns across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.