Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) has received the first-ever robotaxi autonomous driving permit in Saudi Arabia. This milestone makes WeRide the only technology company globally to have obtained autonomous driving licenses in six countries, including Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the US.
WeRide is now authorized to operate autonomous vehicle services and deploy robotaxis nationwide in Saudi Arabia. The company has started pilot operations in Riyadh in partnership with Uber and its local partner Ai Driver. The pilot project, which began earlier this month, covers key locations in Riyadh, including King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and downtown destinations.
The collaboration between WeRide and Uber aims to launch a full-scale commercial robotaxi service by the end of 2025. This initiative marks a significant step in WeRide’s global expansion, allowing the company to scale its robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to robotaxi plans, WeRide is also testing and operating its Robobus in certain locations in Saudi Arabia. The company’s Robosweeper S1 is currently in operation at King Fahad Medical City and Riyadh Second Health Cluster, marking the first profitable autonomous driving sanitation project in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.
WeRide’s expansion into the Saudi market was announced in May, further solidifying its presence in the region. Established in 2017, WeRide is a pioneer in advanced smart driving solutions in China. The company went public on the Nasdaq on October 25 last year and has since been making strides in the autonomous driving industry.
In September 2024, WeRide entered into a partnership with Uber to enhance the use of its autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform. With the recent approval to run robotaxi operations in Saudi Arabia, WeRide is poised to revolutionize the autonomous driving landscape in the region.
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