WeRide Secures Robotaxi Trial Permit in Dubai and Wins First Place at Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport

Rhea-AI Summary

WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global autonomous driving technology leader, has secured a significant self-driving vehicle trial permit from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for Robotaxi trials. The company also clinched first place at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, winning nearly $1 million in prize money.

WeRide's initial Robotaxi GXR service will operate in key Dubai areas, starting with 50 vehicles and expanding to 1,000 vehicles in the Middle East, with plans to deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030. Dubai becomes WeRide's 11th global city for Robotaxi deployment. The company plans to begin trials on the Uber platform within 2025, targeting fully driverless commercial operations by 2026.

Additionally, WeRide signed an MoU with RTA for collaboration on the Dubai Autonomous Zone, strengthening its position in the region's autonomous mobility sector.

Positive

• Secured Dubai's self-driving vehicle trial permit for Robotaxi operations
• Won first place and nearly $1 million prize at Dubai World Challenge
• Plans to expand Middle East fleet from 50 to 1,000 vehicles, with tens of thousands by 2030
• Partnership with Uber platform for trials within 2025
• Operating in 11 cities across 5 countries, demonstrating global market penetration
• First company to conduct fully driverless Robotaxi testing outside China and US (in Abu Dhabi)

Negative

• Commercial fully driverless operations not starting until 2026
• Initial deployment limited to 50 vehicles in Dubai

The company plans to grow its Middle East fleet to 1,000 vehicles and deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, secured a self-driving vehicle trial permit from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) earlier this month to conduct Robotaxi trials in the city.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, with Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide

The company also won first place at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, securing almost US$1 million in prize money for its leading tech competence and ongoing contributions to Dubai's autonomous driving ecosystem. The award was presented at the 2025 Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport (DWC), where His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, visited WeRide's Robotaxi GXR display and reaffirmed the company’s role in shaping Dubai’s future smart mobility.

WeRide Robotaxi GXR in Dubai

WeRide's initial Robotaxi GXR trial service will cover core areas including Jumeirah's key commercial districts and the residential communities of Za’abeel First, Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, and Al Safa. Future operations will extend to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport, and additional downtown areas.

The rollout will start with 50 Robotaxi GXRs in Dubai, with plans to expand the Middle East fleet to 1,000 vehicles and ultimately deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030. With this permit, Dubai becomes the 11th city worldwide and the second in the UAE to deploy WeRide Robotaxis.

Earlier this year, WeRide obtained the first batch of Dubai road test licenses and has already started testing in the city's core areas. In the next phase, WeRide will commence trials with an on-board safety officer on the Uber platform within the year, with fully driverless commercial operations targeted for 2026.

At DWC, WeRide also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RTA, outlining collaboration on the Dubai Autonomous Zone. The agreement reinforces WeRide's commitment to supporting Dubai's transformation into a global innovation hub for autonomous technology across passenger transport, logistics, and urban mobility.

WeRide continues to be a global leader in autonomous mobility, with Robotaxi testing or operations across 11 cities in five countries — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Ordos, Riyadh, Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore.

Beyond Dubai, WeRide is conducting fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi, marking the first and only fully driverless Robotaxi testing and soon operation outside of China and the US. This represents a crucial step toward fully unmanned commercial operations and underscores WeRide’s leadership not only in the Middle East but also on the global stage.

About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in seven markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.

Media Contact
pr@weride.ai

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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FAQ

When will WeRide (WRD) start its Robotaxi operations in Dubai?

WeRide will begin trials with an on-board safety officer on the Uber platform in 2025, with fully driverless commercial operations planned for 2026.

How many Robotaxis will WeRide deploy in the Middle East?

WeRide plans to start with 50 Robotaxi GXRs in Dubai, expand to 1,000 vehicles in the Middle East, and ultimately deploy tens of thousands of Robotaxis by 2030.

Which areas in Dubai will WeRide's Robotaxi service cover?

Initial service will cover Jumeirah's commercial districts and residential communities of Za'abeel First, Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, and Al Safa, with future expansion to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai International Airport, and downtown areas.

How many cities does WeRide currently operate in globally?

WeRide operates in 11 cities across 5 countries: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Ordos, Riyadh, Zurich, Shanghai, and Singapore.

What recognition did WeRide receive in Dubai?

WeRide won first place at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, securing almost $1 million in prize money, and signed an MoU with Dubai's RTA for collaboration on the Dubai Autonomous Zone.