Uber and WeRide Partner with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to Bring Autonomous Vehicles to Dubai
Uber (NYSE: UBER) and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) have announced a strategic partnership with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Dubai. The collaboration supports Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25% of all city journeys into autonomous trips by 2030.
WeRide, which became the first AV provider to secure UAE's national license for self-driving vehicles on public roads in July 2023, will serve as Uber's initial technology partner in this initiative. The partnership follows WeRide's successful commercial AV launch with Uber in Abu Dhabi in December 2024.
The collaboration will involve pilot programs utilizing Uber's technology to match riders with AVs, while focusing on data insights, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks. This expansion adds Dubai to Uber's growing portfolio of markets where it's integrating self-driving technology into its platform.
Uber (NYSE: UBER) e WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) hanno annunciato una partnership strategica con l'Autorità dei Trasporti e delle Strade di Dubai (RTA) per introdurre veicoli autonomi (AV) a Dubai. Questa collaborazione supporta la Strategia di Trasporto Autonomo di Dubai, che mira a trasformare il 25% di tutti i viaggi in città in viaggi autonomi entro il 2030.
WeRide, che è diventata il primo fornitore di AV a ottenere la licenza nazionale degli Emirati Arabi Uniti per veicoli a guida autonoma su strade pubbliche nel luglio 2023, sarà il partner tecnologico iniziale di Uber in questa iniziativa. La partnership segue il lancio commerciale di successo di WeRide con Uber ad Abu Dhabi nel dicembre 2024.
La collaborazione prevede programmi pilota che utilizzeranno la tecnologia di Uber per abbinare i passeggeri con gli AV, concentrandosi su analisi dei dati, protocolli di sicurezza e quadri normativi. Questa espansione aggiunge Dubai al crescente portafoglio di mercati di Uber, dove sta integrando la tecnologia di guida autonoma nella sua piattaforma.
Uber (NYSE: UBER) y WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) han anunciado una asociación estratégica con la Autoridad de Transporte y Carreteras de Dubái (RTA) para introducir vehículos autónomos (AV) en Dubái. Esta colaboración apoya la Estrategia de Transporte Autónomo de Dubái, que tiene como objetivo convertir el 25% de todos los viajes en la ciudad en viajes autónomos para 2030.
WeRide, que se convirtió en el primer proveedor de AV en obtener la licencia nacional de los EAU para vehículos de conducción autónoma en carreteras públicas en julio de 2023, será el socio tecnológico inicial de Uber en esta iniciativa. La asociación sigue al exitoso lanzamiento comercial de WeRide con Uber en Abu Dabi en diciembre de 2024.
La colaboración incluirá programas piloto que utilizarán la tecnología de Uber para emparejar a los pasajeros con los AV, mientras se centra en análisis de datos, protocolos de seguridad y marcos regulatorios. Esta expansión añade a Dubái al creciente portafolio de mercados de Uber, donde está integrando la tecnología de conducción autónoma en su plataforma.
우버 (NYSE: UBER)와 위라이드 (NASDAQ: WRD)는 두바이 도로교통청(RTA)과 협력하여 두바이에 자율주행차(AV)를 도입하기 위한 전략적 파트너십을 발표했습니다. 이 협력은 2030년까지 도시 내 모든 여행의 25%를 자율주행 여행으로 전환하는 것을 목표로 하는 두바이 자율주행 교통 전략을 지원합니다.
위라이드는 2023년 7월 공공 도로에서 자율주행차에 대한 UAE 국가 면허를 최초로 확보한 AV 제공업체로, 이번 이니셔티브에서 우버의 초기 기술 파트너로 활동하게 됩니다. 이 파트너십은 2024년 12월 아부다비에서 우버와 함께한 위라이드의 성공적인 상업적 AV 출시 이후 이루어졌습니다.
협력은 우버의 기술을 활용하여 승객과 AV를 연결하는 파일럿 프로그램을 포함하며, 데이터 통찰력, 안전 프로토콜 및 규제 프레임워크에 중점을 두고 진행됩니다. 이번 확장은 두바이를 우버의 자율주행 기술을 플랫폼에 통합하고 있는 시장 포트폴리오에 추가합니다.
Uber (NYSE: UBER) et WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) ont annoncé un partenariat stratégique avec l'Autorité des routes et des transports de Dubaï (RTA) pour introduire des véhicules autonomes (AV) à Dubaï. Cette collaboration soutient la Stratégie de transport autonome de Dubaï, qui vise à convertir 25 % de tous les trajets en ville en trajets autonomes d'ici 2030.
WeRide, qui est devenu le premier fournisseur de AV à obtenir la licence nationale des Émirats Arabes Unis pour les véhicules autonomes sur les routes publiques en juillet 2023, sera le partenaire technologique initial d'Uber dans cette initiative. Ce partenariat fait suite au lancement commercial réussi de WeRide avec Uber à Abou Dabi en décembre 2024.
La collaboration impliquera des programmes pilotes utilisant la technologie d'Uber pour associer les passagers aux AV, tout en se concentrant sur les analyses de données, les protocoles de sécurité et les cadres réglementaires. Cette expansion ajoute Dubaï au portefeuille croissant de marchés d'Uber, où il intègre la technologie de conduite autonome dans sa plateforme.
Uber (NYSE: UBER) und WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) haben eine strategische Partnerschaft mit der Straßen- und Verkehrsbehörde von Dubai (RTA) angekündigt, um autonome Fahrzeuge (AVs) in Dubai einzuführen. Diese Zusammenarbeit unterstützt die Strategie für autonomes Fahren in Dubai, die darauf abzielt, bis 2030 25 % aller Stadtfahrten in autonome Fahrten umzuwandeln.
WeRide, das im Juli 2023 der erste AV-Anbieter war, der eine nationale Lizenz für autonom fahrende Fahrzeuge auf öffentlichen Straßen in den VAE erhielt, wird in dieser Initiative der erste Technologiepartner von Uber sein. Die Partnerschaft folgt auf den erfolgreichen kommerziellen AV-Start von WeRide mit Uber in Abu Dhabi im Dezember 2024.
Die Zusammenarbeit wird Pilotprogramme umfassen, die die Technologie von Uber nutzen, um Fahrgäste mit AVs zu verbinden, während der Fokus auf Datenanalysen, Sicherheitsprotokollen und regulatorischen Rahmenbedingungen liegt. Diese Expansion fügt Dubai zu Ubers wachsendem Portfolio von Märkten hinzu, in denen die Technologie des autonomen Fahrens in die Plattform integriert wird.
- First-mover advantage in Dubai's autonomous vehicle market
- Strategic alignment with Dubai's 2030 mobility vision
- WeRide already secured national AV license in UAE
- Successful track record with existing operations in Abu Dhabi
- Timeline for Dubai launch remains uncertain
- Regulatory and safety protocols still under development
- Implementation costs and financial impact not disclosed
Insights
This partnership between Uber, WeRide, and Dubai's RTA represents a strategic positioning in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem that carries significant long-term implications. Rather than developing proprietary AV technology, Uber continues its platform approach—partnering with specialized technology providers to integrate autonomous capabilities into its mobility network.
What's particularly compelling is the selection of Dubai as an expansion market following WeRide's successful commercial launch in Abu Dhabi in December 2024. The UAE offers a regulatory environment potentially more conducive to AV deployment than many Western markets, allowing for accelerated real-world testing and refinement. Dubai's commitment to transform 25% of journeys to autonomous by 2030 provides a supportive policy framework that reduces implementation barriers.
WeRide's national license securing for self-driving vehicles on UAE public roads (obtained July 2023) represents a meaningful regulatory milestone. This gradual expansion approach—starting in Abu Dhabi and now extending to Dubai—suggests a methodical rollout strategy that builds on proven operational success rather than speculative deployment.
For Uber, this partnership advances its post-ATG strategy of becoming the commercial platform for various AV technologies rather than betting on a single proprietary solution. This diversified approach potentially reduces technology risk while leveraging Uber's core strengths in consumer experience, routing algorithms, and market presence.
This partnership holds strategic value for both Uber and WeRide as they position themselves in the evolving autonomous transportation landscape. For Uber, integrating AVs into its platform in multiple global markets reinforces its strategy to remain the dominant mobility interface regardless of who develops the underlying autonomous technology.
WeRide gains significant commercial validation through this expansion. Following their Abu Dhabi deployment, this Dubai partnership provides access to Uber's established user base and operational infrastructure—critical advantages for an AV technology company seeking to scale. This geographic expansion pattern suggests WeRide is building a strong Middle East presence that could serve as a blueprint for other regions.
While the announcement lacks specific deployment timelines or financial details, the pilot programs mentioned will likely generate valuable data on rider acceptance, operational metrics, and safety performance in a major global city. These insights could accelerate broader implementation both in the UAE and internationally.
Dubai represents an ideal testing ground with its modern infrastructure, governmental support for innovation, and affluent consumer base willing to adopt new technologies. The partnership's alignment with Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy creates a supportive regulatory environment that could accelerate commercialization compared to more restrictive markets.
Though immediate revenue impact remains unclear, this positions both companies advantageously in what will likely become a critically important transportation segment over the next decade.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: “This partnership with Uber, starting with WeRide as the technology partner, represents a crucial step in advancing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to transform
Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to bring autonomous vehicles onto the Uber platform, starting with our technology partner WeRide. At Uber, we’re building the future of transportation, working with the world’s leading autonomous vehicle developers to help commercialize and deploy this technology at scale around the world.”
He added: “With WeRide as our first AV technology partner in the
As part of the agreement, Uber and RTA will collaborate on pilot programs, leveraging Uber’s technology to match riders with AVs while ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. The partnership will also explore data insights, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks to support a smooth transition to autonomous mobility in
Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International Business at WeRide, stated: “Dubai marks a natural step forward in our commitment to advancing mobility in the
This partnership in the
WeRide became the first AV provider to secure the UAE’s national license for self-driving vehicles on public roads in July 2023. The launch in
More details on the launch and next steps for the autonomous vehicle pilot in
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 58 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. The company operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries, holding driverless permits in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402749677/en/
Uber: press@uber.com
WeRide: pr@weride.ai
Source: Uber Technologies, Inc.
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