Latest news with #WeRide.ai
Leaders
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Leaders
China's WeRide Launches Driverless Taxi Operations in Saudi Arabia
Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has officially announced its plans to launch self-driving taxis in Saudi Arabia by year-end. The company is currently testing its flagship product, the Robotaxi, in Riyadh and the luxurious holiday resort of AlUla. Additionally, WeRide is evaluating other core autonomous driving products, as stated in a recent press release. We're officially in Saudi Arabia! 🇸🇦 @WeRide is rolling out our #Robotaxi, #Robobus and #Robosweeper across #Riyadh, #AlUla and more — driving forward the Kingdom's #Vision2030 goals for smart, sustainable mobility. Here's what to expect: 🚖 Robotaxi trial operations in Riyadh… — (@WeRide_ai) May 27, 2025 Collaboration with Local Partners Founded in California's Silicon Valley, WeRide operates on the Nasdaq but maintains its headquarters in Guangzhou, China. In Saudi Arabia, the company collaborates with Uber and the Transport General Authority to facilitate its operations. Furthermore, Saudi company AI Driver will serve as WeRide's representative agent in the kingdom. While Uber prepares to introduce driverless cars in Riyadh within the next few months, WeRide is also conducting road tests for its Robobus. Testing locations include King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Aramco residential communities, AlUla, and the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Moreover, WeRide's Robosweeper, an autonomous sanitation vehicle, is undergoing trials in King Fahad Medical City. Understanding Autonomous Vehicle Levels There are six classifications of autonomous vehicles (AVs), ranging from level zero, which indicates no automation, to level five, representing full driving automation. Notably, the Robosweeper is classified as the first level-four sanitation vehicle, showcasing significant advancements in autonomous technology. Earlier this month, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that driverless cars would debut in Saudi Arabia this year. Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Conference in Riyadh on 13 May, Khosrowshahi emphasized that Saudi Arabia ranks among Uber's top growing markets. He highlighted that the company currently serves 4 million drivers across the kingdom, indicating strong demand for innovative transportation solutions. Short link : Post Views: 37
Time Out Abu Dhabi
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi just made history as the first city in the UAE to have a fully autonomous fleet of robotaxis
Forget waiting for the future – it just pulled up outside and there's no one behind the wheel. WeRide, the autonomous vehicle pioneer, has officially hit the gas on its fully driverless Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi, making the UAE capital the first in the region to host a commercial fleet of robotaxis with no driver onboard. As of today, you can hop into a WeRide Robotaxi and glide through Al Maryah Island (that glitzy financial hub with ADGM and swanky hotels galore) or cruise across the ever-buzzing Al Reem Island, a lifestyle hotspot stacked with sleek residences, gyms and your next brunch spot. We're launching fully driverless #Robotaxi trial operations in Abu Dhabi — a first in the Middle East. 🇦🇪🚖 Starting this quarter, our Robotaxis will operate on public roads without a safety driver. 📍 We're also expanding coverage to Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, in addition… — (@WeRide_ai) May 16, 2025 These new zones expand WeRide's driverless empire, which already covers Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and connects to Zayed International Airport – all part of the autonomous journey that began in Abu Dhabi back in 2021. If this feels like a big moment, it is. The UAE granted WeRide the country's first national self-driving vehicle license in 2023 and in December 2024, the company teamed up with Uber to launch the region's largest robotaxi service, right here in Abu Dhabi. Today's full launch proves that Abu Dhabi is ready to lead the driverless revolution – no joystick, no drama. Want in on the action? Commercial driverless rides are expected to roll out across more parts of the city this summer, pending regulatory green lights. So whether you're heading to a boardroom on Al Maryah or to a smoothie date on Al Reem, the ride of the future is now available on demand – minus the small talk. Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide said: 'WeRide makes history as the first company to pilot fully driverless Robotaxis in the Middle East region, showcasing our autonomous leadership in one of the world's most dynamic urban environments. 'In parallel, we're expanding commercial service to high-demand areas like Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands – bringing smart mobility solutions to more users in the Middle East. Together, these demonstrate our technological maturity while moving us closer to mass commercialisation of Robotaxis.' More in Abu Dhabi… Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names Wow, look at this line-up The 2025 concert line-up in Abu Dhabi just keeps getting better and better So many big names coming to the capital
