Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has partnered with Uber Technologies and WeRide to bring autonomous vehicles to Dubai, marking a key step towards transforming the region’s transportation sector.
Under the partnership, Uber will make autonomous vehicles accessible and reliable part of everyday life in Dubai, starting with WeRide as the first technology partner.
Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations, stated that, “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. With WeRide as our first AV technology partner in the UAE, we’re providing riders with a reliable and forward-thinking mobility solution that aligns with the country’s ambitions for smart cities and future transport.”
Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer Director-General, Chairman of Board of Executive Directors – RTA
“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 25 percent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030. This collaboration underscores RTA’s commitment to engaging with global technology leaders and forms part of a series of autonomous mobility trials launched in 2016, which have grown in diversity over the past years.”
Uber and RTA will work together on pilot programs, harnessing the potential of Uber’s technology to match riders with AVs while ensuring a smooth and user-friendly experience. Additionally, the landmark partnership will focus on data insights, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks to support a seamless shift to autonomous mobility in Dubai.
Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International Business at WeRide, added that, “Dubai marks a natural step forward in our commitment to advancing mobility in the Middle East as well as our continued global expansion. We believe our advanced autonomous driving technology and operational experience combined with Uber’s powerful global mobility platform will help us serve millions of consumers in cities around the world.”
This partnership strengthens Uber’s global leadership in autonomous vehicle innovation, with Dubai joining its expanding list of markets where Uber is working with leading AV developers to integrate self-driving technology into its platform.
In July 2023, WeRide became the first AV provider to earn the UAE’s national license for self-driving vehicles on public roads. The launch in Dubai builds on the successful commercial launch of WeRide AVs in Abu Dhabi on Uber in December 2024.
