Latest news with #JenniferLi
Gulf Business
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Here's why WeRide, Uber expect Abu Dhabi's ride volume to double
Image: Supplied Autonomous driving technology firm The partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) now enables Robotaxi service coverage across nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core urban areas, including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and highway corridors to and from Zayed International Airport. Since their joint launch in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, WeRide and Uber have tripled their 'Robotaxi' fleet. The companies plan to scale to hundreds of vehicles in the emirate by year-end, with service expansions slated for Khalifa City, Masdar City, and other high-density downtown zones. 'Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are high-demand areas and serve as key gateways to Abu Dhabi,' said Jennifer Li, CFO and head of International at WeRide. 'This expansion gives us the opportunity to reach more passengers, showcase our advanced technology in complex urban settings, and further accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the city.' Read: WeRide fleet highlights The Robotaxi fleet features WeRide's GXR model, a mass-produced autonomous vehicle designed for commercial deployment, accommodating up to five passengers. Each vehicle is expected to complete dozens of trips daily over a 12-hour operating window, with average ride distances exceeding six kilometres. The expansion builds on Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to integrate sustainable and intelligent transport solutions into its mobility infrastructure. 'This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system,' said Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, acting DG of the ITC. 'We are committed to embracing innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance our transport network and improve the quality of life for our residents.' Passengers can now access the expanded Robotaxi service via the Uber and TXAI mobile apps. The targeted districts, Al Reem and Al Maryah, are among Abu Dhabi's most dynamic hubs, with a high concentration of financial institutions, residential towers, and retail destinations, making them ideal testbeds for urban AV deployment. 'We're pleased to expand our autonomous vehicle service in Abu Dhabi in partnership with WeRide and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Mobility,' said Mohamad Jardaneh, head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber. 'Just as Uber helped millions experience electric vehicles for the first time, 2025 will be the year we bring AV technology into the mainstream.' The companies are also conducting fully driverless testing in Abu Dhabi, with public access expected in the coming months. WeRide operates the largest Robotaxi network in the Middle East and is the first publicly traded autonomous mobility company. Its vehicles have been tested or deployed in over 30 cities across 10 countries and hold AV permits in six global markets, including the UAE, US, China, France, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Abu Dhabi expands driverless taxi service to Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands
News Home More from Local Abu Dhabi Media Office Authorities in Abu Dhabi have announced the expansion of autonomous taxi services to "high-density areas" like Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. Making the announcement on Tuesday, Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) said the service will be carried out in collaboration with WeRide, with Uber and Tawasul Transport as the local operator of the project. The complex traffic patterns in the islands, which are key centres for financial, residential and commercial sectors, offer an ideal setting to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of WeRide's technology, the authorities added. It builds on the services already available on Al Saadiyat and Yas Islands, as well as routes to Zayed International Airport and supports Abu Dhabi's strategic vision to make 25 per cent of trips in the emirate rely on smart transport by 2040. The ITC is also working to roll out the service to more areas on Abu Dhabi Island in the future. "This expansion gives us the opportunity to reach more passengers, showcase our advanced technology in complex urban settings, and further accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the city," said Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide. The emirate currently operates the largest active fleet, with 44 autonomous vehicles serving key locations across the city. UAE steps up Gaza relief efforts with more airdrops The UAE, in partnership with Jordan, has completed its 56th airdrop of humanitarian aid over Gaza under the 'Birds of Goodness' initiative. UAE steps up Gaza relief efforts with more airdrops UAE President issues decree promoting H.H. Sheikh Hamdan His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, has been promoted to the rank of General. UAE President issues decree promoting H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Dubai Police recover AED 1.1 million jewellery bag in cross-border operation In a remarkable display of international cooperation, Dubai Police have successfully recovered and returned a jewellery bag worth over AED 1.1 million to a UAE resident. Dubai Police recover AED 1.1 million jewellery bag in cross-border operation CBUAE suspends motor insurance operations of foreign insurer The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has suspended the motor insurance operations of a foreign insurer's branch, citing non-compliance with key financial regulations. CBUAE suspends motor insurance operations of foreign insurer UAE continues humanitarian airdrops over Gaza The UAE, in cooperation with Jordan, has carried out its 55th humanitarian airdrop over the Gaza Strip, marking the second day in a row of airborne aid deliveries under the 'Birds of Goodness' initiative.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi expands operation of autonomous taxis to Al Reem, Al Maryah Islands
ABU DHABI - As part of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council's (SASC) strategy, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility ), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has announced the expansion of autonomous taxi services to include Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, in collaboration with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, as well as Uber and Tawasul Transport as the local operator of the project. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi's ambition to build an AI-powered mobility ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a regional hub for smart and sustainable transport. The expansion aligns with the emirate's smart transport strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips rely on smart mobility by 2040. With this latest addition, autonomous taxis now cover nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core areas, further integrating AI-driven transport into the city's daily life. Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands—major residential, commercial and financial hubs—were selected due to their complex traffic patterns and high demand for reliable urban mobility. The initiative demonstrates the readiness of WeRide's technology to meet real-world traffic challenges. The expansion builds on services already operating on Yas and Saadiyat Islands, as well as connections to Zayed International Airport. Since the launch of autonomous taxis on the Uber platform in December 2024, the fleet has tripled in size. The Integrated Transport Centre is working to roll out the service to additional areas on Abu Dhabi Island, paving the way for full-scale commercial deployment. Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said, 'This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system. We are extending the deployment of autonomous vehicles to high-density areas to provide safer and more efficient travel experiences in line with Abu Dhabi's smart transport strategy.' He added, 'We are committed to innovative and sustainable solutions that improve quality of life. By working with our strategic partners, we are accelerating progress and enhancing the transport experience for all.' Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, said, 'Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are dynamic, high-demand areas. This expansion allows us to showcase our technology in complex settings and accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across Abu Dhabi.' Mohamad Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber, added, 'We're pleased to bring autonomous rides to more people in Abu Dhabi. With strong engagement since launch, 2025 is the year AV technology enters the mainstream.' Abu Dhabi is the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to commercially operate autonomous vehicles. With a fleet of 44 AVs, the emirate has established itself as a regional leader in smart mobility, driven by strategic partnerships with global firms such as WeRide, Space42, Uber and Tawasul Transport. WeRide's Abu Dhabi fleet is its largest outside the US and China, underscoring the emirate's growing role as a global hub for innovation in sustainable mobility.
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
China's WeRide launches Southeast Asia's first fully driverless bus service in Singapore
WeRide, a leading mainland Chinese self-driving technology developer, has launched Southeast Asia's first fully driverless bus service in Singapore – operating without a safety officer on board. The Robobus, equipped with 360-degree vision and capable of detecting obstacles more than 200 metres away, operates on a fixed 1.2km loop every 12 minutes, connecting three hotels and The Galleria shopping mall on Sentosa island, the company said in a statement on Thursday. The launch followed a year-long trial that began in June 2024, during which the autonomous vehicle transported tens of thousands of passengers with safety operators onboard – without a single accident, the company said. 'All companies intending to deploy autonomous vehicles must first pass relevant assessments related to their autonomous capabilities and demonstrate their ability to operate safely on public roads with safety operators onboard without any incident,' said Lam Wee Shann, deputy chief executive and chief technology officer at the Land Transport Authority, which plans, builds and maintains Singapore's land transport infrastructure and systems. The interior of WeRide's fully driverless Robobus in Singapore. Photo: Handout Once companies pass the assessments, they can remove the onboard safety operator requirement and replace it with constant remote monitoring instead, he added. Jennifer Li, the chief financial officer at WeRide, who also heads its international business operations, said that the launch of the driverless bus service proved its technology was 'ready to transform public transportation at scale'.
AsiaOne
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for Singapore
SINGAPORE - In a first for Singapore, autonomous vehicle (AV) firm WeRide has been given permission to operate a self-driving shuttle bus service in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) without any safety personnel on board. Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) gave the firm the green light after extensive testing and safety assessments of WeRide's remote operations and on-road performance here, said the Guangzhou-based company on July 17. The company said this is also the first time in South-east Asia that AVs have been given permission to operate without an onboard safety officer. Its eight-seater driverless bus, fitted with a suite of cameras and light detection and ranging sensors, has been plying a fixed 12-minute route within the RWS integrated resort since June 2024. The company said it has completed thousands of trips and ferried tens of thousands of passengers without any incident. In January, WeRide was allowed to remove the steering wheel and pedals from the vehicle, but a safety officer was still required to be on board to intervene in case of an emergency. WeRide's chief financial officer and head of international, Jennifer Li, called the removal of the onboard safety officer a "groundbreaking milestone" for the future of mobility in the region. "Deploying the region's first fully driverless robo-bus demonstrates that our vehicles are safe, reliable, and ready to transform public transportation at scale," Li added. LTA deputy chief executive for technology Lam Wee Shann said the authority has been working with WeRide to facilitate autonomous shuttle trials at RWS, pointing to an assessment framework that was revised in November 2024 to drive the safe adoption of more mature AV technologies. WeRide, which has established a dedicated research and development centre in Singapore, has also been trialling its self-driving road sweepers in Jurong Lake Gardens since March. This is after it had earlier deployed similar driverless road sweepers in Marina Coastal Drive and at the Esplanade in November 2024. WeRide's announcement on July 17 comes as Singapore prepares to make a major AV push to strengthen the public transport network. By the start of the fourth quarter of 2025, self-driving shuttles will hit the roads in Punggol as part of plans to ramp up driverless vehicle deployments in the next five years. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow told reporters during a visit to Guangzhou in late June that the deployment of the autonomous shuttles here will be done in steps. [[nid:719631]] At the start, these vehicles will not ferry any passengers until residents and road users are more comfortable with them. They will have a safety officer on board and be clearly identifiable by a bright colour. The hope is that the autonomous shuttles can start taking passengers by the end of 2025. The safety officer can then be removed eventually in the third stage of the roll-out, as is the case in places like Guangzhou, where some autonomous bus routes are already being operated remotely. The Straits Times spoke to 27 Punggol residents earlier in July and found a mix of excitement and scepticism about autonomous vehicles. Financial advisor Shariqqi Rizvi, 28, said he was open to the idea, noting that newer residential estates in Punggol East are hard to access as they are served by only one bus route currently. Carole Yeo, 36, however, does not believe that driverless vehicles are safe. She said: "I'd be scared. What if something happens suddenly? I don't quite trust them." This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
