WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) and Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) announced plans to launch Spain's first commercial robotaxi pilot in Madrid later this year, marking their first joint entry into the European market.

The service will operate in collaboration with Madrid's Regional Government and rides will be available through the Uber app, according to a press release. The fleet will initially include trained vehicle operators, with the companies planning to add hundreds of robotaxis as performance milestones are met, including expansion of fully driverless commercial service across urban areas.

AVOMO, a Moove Cars Group company that serves as Uber's autonomous vehicle fleet operations partner in Atlanta and Austin, will support the transportation service using WeRide's autonomous driving technology.

The Madrid launch represents the fourth of 15 cities outlined under WeRide and Uber's previous agreement, with 11 additional cities planned by 2030. The companies plan to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis on public roads under this partnership.

WeRide currently operates fully driverless robotaxi commercial services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with Riyadh expected to follow. The company has deployed autonomous vehicles in over 40 cities across 12 countries and holds autonomous driving permits in eight markets including China, UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and the United States.

"Madrid represents an important next step in our partnership with WeRide to bring autonomous mobility to more people around the world," said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.