WeRide Inc. (NASDAQ: WRD) and Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) began commercial driverless robotaxi operations in Dubai on March 31, 2026, marking the first batch of Level 4 autonomous vehicles to enter commercial service in the city.

The service operates without a vehicle operator on board in Dubai's Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts. Riders can book WeRide robotaxis through the Uber app's "Autonomous" option. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority endorsed the operations as part of the emirate's goal to achieve 25% autonomous journeys by 2030.

WeRide received a driverless vehicle trial permit from the RTA in February 2026, allowing fully autonomous operations across multiple Dubai areas including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park Second, Jabal Ali Industrial First, Nad Al Sheba, Wadi Al Safa, Warsan, Ras Al Khor, and Al Hamriya Port.

The launch follows a supervised trial service that began in December 2025. Tawasul, a UAE mobility operator, provides fleet management services for WeRide vehicles on the Uber platform.

"WeRide is committed to long-term operations in Dubai and will continue expanding our local fleet," said Dr. Tony Han, WeRide's founder and CEO.

Uber disclosed this week that it owns approximately 5.82% of WeRide's Class A ordinary shares. In February 2026, the companies committed to deploy at least 1,200 robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. WeRide currently operates over 200 robotaxis in the Middle East and reports operational profitability in its Middle Eastern robotaxi business since 2025.

WeRide became the first company in the UAE to receive a national license for all types of self-driving vehicles in 2023, permitting autonomous testing and operation on public roads across the country.