WeRide announces robotaxi service in Saudi Arabia
WeRide expects to launch commercial services in Riyadh by late 2025
#SaudiArabia #AVs - Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide has launched operations in Saudi Arabia, deploying autonomous taxis and buses across Riyadh and AlUla with commercial services expected by late 2025. The Nasdaq-listed autonomous vehicle specialist will offer robotaxi trial operations through the American ride-hailing platform Uber during the coming months, supported by Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA). The expansion includes deployment of Level-4 autonomous robobuses at King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential communities, and tourist destinations including the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 smart city development goals.
SO WHAT? - WeRide's Saudi expansion represents the first major autonomous vehicle deployment in the Middle East's largest economy, following years of small scale trials and test projects. With Saudi Arabia's tourism sector projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, autonomous vehicle services could significantly enhance visitor experiences whilst addressing transport challenges in the Kingdom's ambitious megaproject developments and urban expansion plans. The move follows the announcement of an agreement between Abdul Latif Jameel and US ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies to create a new Saudi ride-hailing platform.
WeRide has launched operations in Saudi Arabia, deploying autonomous taxis and buses, and expanding into the Middle East's largest economy with a GDP of $1.09 trillion in 2024.
The company will offer Robotaxi trial operations through Uber in the coming months with full commercial services expected by late 2025, supported by Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority.
WeRide has deployed Level-4 autonomous Robobuses across key Saudi locations including King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Aramco residential communities, AlUla, and the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh for last-mile transportation services.
The Robosweeper S1 has been deployed at King Fahad Medical City, representing the first monetised autonomous sanitation project in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.
WeRide's Saudi expansion builds on recent Middle East growth including fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi and upcoming Dubai services through Uber's platform partnership.
The deployment supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions to build smart, sustainable cities by enhancing road safety, improving traffic management, and introducing technology-driven mobility solutions.
Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, growing at 8.4% annually from 2024, creating significant demand for innovative transport solutions for residents and visitors.
WeRide operates autonomous vehicles in over 30 cities across 10 countries and holds autonomous driving permits in five markets: China, UAE, Singapore, France, and the United States.
ZOOM OUT - WeRide's Saudi expansion builds on four years of Middle East operations beginning with autonomous vehicle trials on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat and Yas Islands which started in 2021, run by G42 and local transport authorities. Earlier this month the AV operator launched the region's first fully driverless robotaxi operations across select Abu Dhabi financial and residential districts. Meanwhile in April, WeRide announced a partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) 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 launches first fully driverless taxis in Middle East (Middle East AI News)
RTA, Uber & WeRide partner to create Dubai services (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi confirms anchor deals for SAVI (Middle East AI News)
G42 starts driverless taxi service trials in Abu Dhabi (Middle East AI News)