Waymo teams up with Uber to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in the Middle East region

Information Times News (Reporter Pan Jingwen) — On February 6, Guangzhou-based autonomous driving company WeRide and the well-known international mobility service company Uber announced an upgraded strategic partnership: both parties plan to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in the Middle East region by 2027, covering the major markets of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh.

According to the plan, all 1,200 Robotaxis will be integrated into the Uber App to provide public transportation services. Currently, WeRide and Uber have launched fully autonomous commercial Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi, and have opened Robotaxi public operation services in Dubai and Riyadh. Building on the existing operational foundation, both parties will continue to expand the Robotaxi fleet.

Uber has committed to further investing in more Robotaxis after obtaining key regulatory approvals and achieving operational milestones such as the commercialization of fully autonomous Robotaxis in the core areas of each city. This deepening of the strategic partnership marks the acceleration of the plan previously agreed upon by WeRide and Uber to deploy Robotaxi services in 15 international cities over the next five years. Currently, Robotaxi services are operational in three cities, with the remaining 12 cities to be covered gradually before 2030.

The Robotaxi expansion plan continues WeRide’s lightweight asset operation model, where Uber or local third-party partners are responsible for fleet operation, while WeRide provides autonomous driving technology support and scalable fleet deployment capabilities. At present, WeRide has deployed over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East region. Notably, by 2025, WeRide’s Middle East subsidiary’s Robotaxi business has already achieved operational profitability.

WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi. Photo provided by interviewee.