WeRide expands into Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah debuts robotaxis, commercial services to begin early 2026
#UAE #robotaxis – Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide has launched a robotaxi and robobus pilot in Ras Al Khaimah, marking its expansion into a third UAE emirate following deployments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The pilot integrates autonomous vehicles into the public transport system of Ras Al Khaimah through a partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), with commercial operations scheduled to begin in early 2026. WeRide is the sole partner selected for the emirate’s smart mobility strategy and the only autonomous vehicle company with active operations in Ras Al Khaimah.
SO WHAT? – This deployment demonstrates both accelerating momentum in the UAE’s adoption of autonomous transport, and WeRide’s success in brokering deals in the region. With its first service trials in the UAE starting nearly four years ago, WeRide is now operating across three emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. For Ras Al Khaimah the move reflects a broader goal to modernise city-wide services in order to compete effectively with the other emirates.
Here are some key details about the launch:
Autonomous transport services platform WeRide has launched a robotaxi and robobus pilot in Ras Al Khaimah, in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA). Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026.
The launch was marked by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, becoming the first passenger to ride the WeRide robobus on public roads, joined by Zhang Yiming, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, and H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, Director General of RAKTA.
WeRide’s Robobus will operate across nine stops on Al Marjan Island, a tourism and lifestyle hub, connecting hotels and resorts including Mövenpick Resort, Hampton by Hilton, and Pullman Hotel, with plans to extend into Mina Island for enhanced first- and last-mile connectivity.
WeRide will deploy its latest generation robotaxi, the GXR to serve Ras Al Khaimah’s city centre, expanding autonomous mobility beyond tourism areas, with passengers able to book rides and track vehicle locations via RAKTA’s digital mobility app from early 2026.
Services will initially operate with a safety officer onboard, with fully driverless operations planned for a later phase pending regulatory approval, as RAKTA develops a regulatory framework for autonomous mobility.
WeRide signed a Memorandum of Understanding with RAKTA covering the provision of advanced technical solutions, operational support, and training to ensure safe and efficient deployment of autonomous vehicles.
The pilot follows His Highness Sheikh Saud’s visit to WeRide’s Guangzhou headquarters in November 2024, when Ras Al Khaimah signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guangdong Province, demonstrating sustained bilateral engagement in smart mobility development.
WeRide is the first publicly traded robotaxi company and holds autonomous driving permits in seven markets including China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the United States.
ZOOM OUT – WeRide’s opening in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah follows four years of trials and operations in the GCC, beginning with autonomous vehicle trials on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat and Yas Islands 2021, run by G42 and local transport authorities. In May, the company launched operations in Saudi Arabia, deploying autonomous taxis and buses across Riyadh and AlUla. Earlier WeRide launched the region’s first fully driverless robotaxi operations across select Abu Dhabi financial and residential districts. The robotaxi operator also announced a partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) this year, to integrate robotaxi services into the emirate’s transport network.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about WeRide in the Middle East:
WeRide robotaxi pilot to launch in Dubai this year (Middle East AI News)
WeRide announces robotaxi service in Saudi Arabia (Middle East AI News)
WeRide launches first fully driverless taxis in Middle East (Middle East AI News)
RTA, Uber & WeRide partner to create Dubai services (Middle East AI News)