Uber and WeRide to Expand AV Partnership to 15 New Cities
Uber Technologies, Inc., the world’s largest mobility and delivery platform, and WeRide a global pioneer in autonomous driving technology, have announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership. This development will see the integration of WeRide’s advanced autonomous vehicle (AV) services into the Uber platform across 15 new cities around the world over the next five years—including key markets in Europe.
The announcement represents a significant step forward in the global deployment of autonomous mobility solutions. By expanding the partnership to new markets beyond the initial deployments in Abu Dhabi and the upcoming launch in Dubai, Uber and WeRide are solidifying their shared commitment to redefining the future of transportation.
Global Expansion with a Targeted Strategy
The expanded agreement builds upon the companies’ earlier collaboration and signals growing confidence in the commercial readiness of autonomous vehicle technology. Over the next five years, Uber and WeRide plan to roll out robotaxi services in cities outside of the United States and China, regions where both companies already have strong footholds or competing market forces. Instead, the focus will be on untapped or emerging AV-friendly territories where regulatory frameworks, urban infrastructure, and population dynamics are ripe for autonomous mobility.
Each of the 15 cities will host integrated services that allow Uber users to hail WeRide robotaxis directly from the Uber app, providing a seamless user experience. Uber will be responsible for managing fleet operations in these cities, leveraging its robust logistics infrastructure, driver network, and local market expertise.
This global rollout will likely include a mix of established international cities and fast-developing urban hubs, as both Uber and WeRide seek to demonstrate the viability of self-driving vehicles in varied environments—from high-density urban centers to sprawling suburban corridors.
Success in the Middle East Lays the Groundwork
The first phase of this partnership took root in Abu Dhabi, where WeRide and Uber successfully launched a pilot program offering autonomous taxi rides to the public. That launch was met with positive reception from both regulators and riders, validating the companies’ strategy and technology. A second launch in Dubai is planned soon and is expected to reinforce the viability of scaling autonomous operations in the region.
The Middle East has become a strategic proving ground for AV companies due to forward-thinking regulatory environments, favorable infrastructure, and a growing appetite for innovative transportation. These early successes have given both Uber and WeRide the confidence to expand their collaboration to additional markets worldwide.
Executive Insights on the Partnership’s Global Vision
“We are excited to take our partnership with Uber to new heights,” said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide. “Expanding into new cities across multiple continents reflects both companies’ confidence in our technology and our shared commitment to innovative, sustainable transportation solutions.”
Han emphasized that this expanded partnership aligns with WeRide’s long-term strategy to bring autonomous driving solutions to a global audience. “Our vision is to make autonomous mobility not just a luxury or a novelty, but an accessible, affordable option for everyday commuters around the world,” he added.
For Uber, the collaboration is a natural progression of its broader mission to integrate the latest technologies into its platform and to reshape how people move within and between cities.
“Today’s announcement—one of the biggest partnerships of its kind ever announced—is a significant milestone toward realizing the promise of autonomous mobility in more places around the world,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “By leveraging Uber’s global scale, operational expertise, and leading marketplace technology, we are thrilled to partner with cutting-edge AV companies like WeRide to help them commercialize their vehicles and bring the benefits of autonomy to more riders.”
Accelerating Commercialization of AV Technology
One of the key challenges in the AV industry has been commercial viability. While the technology behind autonomous driving has made significant strides over the past decade, scaling operations in real-world settings remains complex and costly. This partnership helps to overcome those barriers by combining WeRide’s cutting-edge autonomous driving systems with Uber’s operational backbone and marketplace reach.
Uber brings an enormous user base and logistical sophistication, while WeRide contributes world-class robotics, AI perception, and sensor fusion technology. The result is a synergistic approach that fast-tracks the commercialization of AVs in a practical, scalable manner.
By integrating AVs into Uber’s platform, riders in the newly selected cities will be able to experience the convenience of self-driving rides without downloading new apps or learning new systems. This ease of use will likely be a key factor in driving adoption and public trust.
Sustainability and Innovation Go Hand-in-Hand
Both companies have highlighted sustainability as a core pillar of the partnership. Autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs), which form the core of WeRide’s robotaxi fleet, offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion vehicles. As cities around the world seek to decarbonize their transportation networks, the rollout of AEVs presents a compelling solution.
The expanded partnership not only represents a technological milestone but also a meaningful contribution to global climate goals. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from urban transportation is critical to meeting international climate targets, and autonomous electric fleets offer a viable pathway to achieving those reductions at scale.
Furthermore, the integration of AVs into Uber’s ecosystem introduces additional layers of innovation, from AI-powered dispatch optimization to real-time traffic management, all of which contribute to more efficient, less congested urban environments.
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
While the expansion is ambitious, it is also carefully calibrated to take into account local regulatory environments. Uber and WeRide are working closely with city governments, transportation authorities, and public safety organizations to ensure that each deployment adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance.
Both companies stress the importance of transparency and collaboration with regulators to build a trusted foundation for autonomous mobility. From conducting safety assessments to engaging with local communities, the partnership aims to be proactive in addressing public concerns and ensuring the safe integration of AVs into existing transportation ecosystems.
What This Means for the Future
The expanded Uber-WeRide partnership is a clear signal that autonomous mobility is transitioning from experimentation to mainstream implementation. As AVs become more visible and reliable in cities around the world, public perception is expected to shift positively, encouraging broader adoption.
This collaboration could also serve as a blueprint for similar partnerships in the AV space, showcasing how technology developers and platform operators can come together to overcome deployment challenges and scale innovation globally.
Ultimately, the partnership underscores a shared belief in a future where transportation is safer, cleaner, and more accessible—driven not by human operators, but by software and machine intelligence.
About Uber Technologies
Founded in 2009, Uber Technologies has become the world’s leading platform for mobility and delivery services. Operating in over 70 countries, Uber provides a range of services including ride-hailing, food delivery (Uber Eats), and freight logistics. The company has increasingly invested in future-facing technologies including electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and urban air mobility.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader in Level 4 autonomous driving technology, with operations in China, the Middle East, and North America. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China, WeRide develops and deploys robotaxis, robovans, and autonomous buses powered by a full-stack autonomous driving solution. The company is backed by leading investors and has conducted millions of autonomous test miles globally.