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WeRide has obtained the first-ever Robotaxi autonomous driving permit in Saudi Arabia, making it the sole technology firm with permits for autonomous driving in six nations: Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the United States.
With this license, WeRide is empowered to launch an autonomous vehicle (AV) business and implement Robotaxi operations across Saudi Arabia, commencing with its pilot program in Riyadh alongside Uber and local partner Ai Driver.
Initiated earlier this month, the pilot program encompasses King Khalid International Airport and various strategic locations throughout Riyadh, including major highways and selected city center sites.
A comprehensive commercial Robotaxi service is anticipated to be available by the end of 2025 through a collaboration between WeRide and Uber.
The permit was awarded during an official event last week, which was attended by Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA); Jennifer Li, CFO and head of International at WeRide; alongside other senior officials from the Saudi government.
WeRide’s Robotaxi Completes TGA’s Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting in Saudi Arabia
WeRide is recognized as the first autonomous vehicle technology company to have its Robotaxi pass the TGA’s Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting in Saudi Arabia. This approval process was executed in collaboration with multiple government entities and involved thorough testing, evaluations, and technology verification to obtain the Robotaxi autonomous driving permit, thereby ensuring the highest levels of safety and performance.
“Receiving this permit is a significant milestone in our global growth, allowing us to enhance Robotaxi services and create new commercial possibilities in Saudi Arabia. It facilitates large-scale deployment, opens new revenue channels, and strengthens our dedication to making autonomous mobility a global reality. We appreciate the TGA for endorsing our vision for safer, smarter transportation on a broad scale,” stated Jennifer Li, CFO and head of International at WeRide.
This announcement comes on the heels of WeRide’s entry into the Saudi market in May.
In addition to its Robotaxi initiatives, WeRide is actively testing and operating its Robobus in critical locations such as King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential areas, AlUla, and the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.
The Robosweeper S1 is also functioning at King Fahad Medical City and the Riyadh Second Health Cluster, representing the first monetized autonomous sanitation project in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.
Outside of Saudi Arabia, WeRide has been rapidly advancing across the area over recent months.
Its Robotaxis are presently undergoing fully driverless testing in Abu Dhabi—the first of its nature in the Middle East—and will soon extend their Robotaxi service to Dubai.