Uber Partners With WeRide to Bring Self-Driving Cars to Dubai

Uber Technologies and WeRide officially announced their partnership with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority. Uber aims to make autonomous vehicles accessible and a reliable part of the daily commute in Dubai, starting with its first technology partner, WeRide.

RTA DG and Board Chair Matter Al Tayer stated that the partnership between Uber and WeRide is a crucial step towards strengthening Dubai’s self-driving transport strategy that aims to transform 25% of all journeys in the city through autonomous vehicles across various transport modes by 2030.

Initially, Uber and RTA will collaborate on pilot tests, using Uber’s technology to match riders with AVs while ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. This collaboration also aims to explore data insights, safety requirements, and regulatory frameworks to ensure a smooth transition to autonomous mobility in Dubai.

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WeRide was the first AV productor in Dubai to receive UAE’s national license for self-driving vehicles in July 2023. After launching its services in Dubai, the brand introduced AV commercial operations in Abu Dhabi on Uber in December last year.

The global autonomous driving market is expected to grow at 80% GAGR, valued at $1.745 trillion by 2030 from $93 billion in 2025. In addition, this market has shown an 85% GAGR for China, touching $639 billion by 2030.

US President Donald Trump has also shown a positive stance on autonomous vehicles after a major hit by the 2020 pandemic. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on the other hand, sees EV giant’s robotaxi fleets to function like a combination of Airbnb and Uber. According to Future Fund’s Gary Black, EV owners can make up to $40,000 annually by renting their vehicles to the Robotaxi fleet.