Urban Mobility: You Will Soon Be Able To Book Self-Driving Cars In The UAE Via Uber

In a significant move towards enhancing autonomous mobility, WeRide, autonomous driving technology provider, has teamed up with Uber Technologies, Inc. to integrate WeRide's self-driving vehicles into the Uber platform, starting in the UAE. This initiative marks a pivotal step in bringing autonomous vehicle technology closer to consumers on a large scale, underscoring the evolving landscape of urban transportation.

The inaugural phase of this strategic partnership will kick off in Abu Dhabi later this year, introducing a select number of WeRide's autonomous vehicles to Uber users. Once operational, passengers seeking rides via the Uber app will have the possibility to opt for a journey in one of WeRide's self-driving cars. This service, however, is slated exclusively for the UAE market, with no plans for deployment in either the United States or China at this juncture.

The official agreement for this partnership was signed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Vice President of Mobility & Business Operations at Uber, and Hua Zhong, Senior Vice President of WeRide. The event was attended by Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, and WeRide’s Founder and CEO, Tony Han, who both witnessed the historic signing, signifying the commencement of this groundbreaking collaboration.

Dara Khosrowshahi said: "Uber is very excited to partner with WeRide. It's clear that the future of mobility will be increasingly shared, electric, and autonomous, and we look forward to working with leading AV companies like WeRide to help bring the benefits of autonomous technology to cities around the world." This statement captures the shared vision of both companies to revolutionize urban mobility through the integration of advanced autonomous vehicle technologies.

WeRide stands out in the UAE for operating the most extensive robotaxi fleet, accessible to residents through the TXAI app. This dominance in the autonomous vehicle space is bolstered by a significant milestone achieved in July 2023 when WeRide secured the UAE's first and only national license for self-driving vehicles. This license authorizes WeRide to conduct tests and operate its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the UAE, further solidifying its position as a leader in the autonomous driving industry.

Tony Han shared his perspective on the partnership, stating, "We are honored to partner with Uber to continue to bring our technology to global markets. Together, we aim to combine our collective experience and expertise to deliver much needed, affordable, sustainable and safe mobility solutions to a global audience."

This partnership not only represents a fusion of technological and operational prowess but also a shared commitment to enhancing the safety, sustainability, and affordability of mobility solutions worldwide.