WeRide and Uber plan robotaxi launch in Zurich later this year

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) and Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) announced plans to launch commercial robotaxi services in the Greater Zurich Region, marking their second joint European deployment announcement within weeks of a similar announcement for Madrid.

Operations are expected to begin later in 2026, subject to regulatory approval from Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Rides will be available through the Uber app at launch. Rydera, a local mobility and logistics operator, will manage day-to-day fleet operations in Zurich under WeRide's asset-light operating model.

WeRide received a driverless permit from FEDRO last November, enabling autonomous operations on public roads in Zurich's Furttal region. The fleet is expected to scale progressively as performance milestones are met, including a transition to fully driverless commercial services in core urban areas.

The Zurich deployment would bring the total number of cities where WeRide and Uber jointly operate robotaxi services to five of the 15 cities covered under their existing agreement. Since December 2024, the two companies have launched robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh.

"Europe is a priority region for WeRide, and announcing two European markets in two weeks reflects the speed and efficiency of our expansion strategy," said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide.

"Switzerland is a key market for autonomous mobility, combining forward-thinking regulation with a demand for high-quality ride-hailing solutions," said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.

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