Transport Chinese self-driving operator WeRide launches Saudi operations By Edmund Bower May 28, 2025, 10:41 AM Provided by WeRide A WeRide Robotaxi in operation. The vehicles are being tested in the Saudi capital Riyadh Autonomous driving company WeRide has announced plans to roll out driverless taxis in Saudi Arabia before the end of the year. It is already testing its flagship product the Robotaxi in Riyadh and the upmarket holiday resort of AlUla as well as “other core autonomous driving products”, WeRide said in a press release. The company was founded in California’s Silicon Valley and trades on the Nasdaq but is headquartered in Guangzhou, China. In Saudi Arabia it is operating in collaboration with Uber and the Transport General Authority. Saudi company AI Driver will act as WeRide’s representative agent in Saudi Arabia. While Uber is set to begin using driverless cars in Riyadh in the coming months, road tests are also underway for WeRide’s Robobus in King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Aramco residential communities, AlUla and the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Uber launches driverless operations in Abu Dhabi Masdar City starts testing autonomous vehicles Neom-backed Pony.ai to launch robotaxis in Dubai WeRide’s Robosweeper autonomous sanitation vehicle is also undergoing trials in King Fahad Medical City. There are six different classifications of AVs, ranging from zero for no automation through to level five, which is full-driving automation, and Robosweeper is billed as the first level-four sanitation vehicle. Earlier in May Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that driverless cars would be “in Saudi Arabia this year”. Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment conference in Riyadh on May 13, Khosrowshahi called Saudi Arabia “one of our top growing markets”, saying that the company now serves 4 million drivers in the kingdom. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
