Uber and WeRide reveal plans to expand autonomous vehicle partnership to 15 more global cities
- Perry Richardson
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Uber and autonomous driving firm WeRide have confirmed the expansion of their partnership to cover 15 more cities worldwide over the next five years. The move will include cities across Europe, but excludes the United States and China.
The announcement follows the service’s debut in Abu Dhabi, with Dubai expected to follow soon. The companies are aiming to roll out WeRide’s Robotaxi services through the Uber app in each of the new locations.
Uber will manage local fleet operations, while WeRide provides the autonomous driving technology. Both firms said the partnership reflects a joint ambition to grow autonomous mobility beyond pilot projects and into regular transport options for the public.
The expansion signals an increase in global competition among tech and transport firms seeking to lead in the development and deployment of driverless vehicle services. By building on the early success in the UAE, the firms appear to be focusing on areas with regulatory environments open to new mobility models.
No further details were released about which cities will be involved next or the expected launch timelines.
Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide, said: “We are excited to take our partnership with Uber to new heights. Expanding into new cities across multiple continents reflects both companies’ confidence in our technology and our shared commitment to innovative, sustainable transportation solutions.
“This expansion aligns with WeRide’s ambitious strategy for global growth – to make autonomous driving solutions more affordable and accessible to people worldwide.”
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said: “Today’s announcement – one of the biggest partnerships of its kind ever announced – is a significant milestone towards realizing the promise of autonomous mobility in more places around the world.
”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 commercialise their vehicles and bring the benefits of autonomy to more riders."
