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WeRide Inc. (NASDAQ:WRD) announced Thursday the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first robotaxi pilot service in Riyadh. The pilot, conducted under the supervision of the Transport General Authority (TGA), will operate on public roads, including King Khalid International Airport and multiple key locations in the city, according to a statement released by the company.
WeRide’s robotaxi vehicles will be available through the Uber (NYSE:UBER) platform, with the initial fleet comprising dozens of vehicles. Riyadh is the third city where WeRide has partnered with Uber, following previous deployments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The company stated that full commercial services are anticipated to begin on the Uber platform at the end of 2025.
The pilot represents WeRide’s first robotaxi operation in Saudi Arabia and is currently the only such pilot in the country. The company noted that it led regulatory engagement, registered Saudi Arabia’s first robotaxi, and oversaw localization and model training as part of the project.
WeRide also reported that in May 2025, it began testing and operations of its autonomous driving products in Saudi Arabia, including ground preparation for the robotaxi service with support from the TGA. In the same month, WeRide deployed its Robobus in several locations, such as King Fahad Medical (TASE:BLWV) City, Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) residential communities, AlUla, and the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Additionally, the Robosweeper S1 was deployed in King Fahad Medical City, marking what the company described as the first monetized autonomous sanitation project in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
This information is based on a press release statement included in WeRide’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In other recent news, WeWrite reported a 1.8% increase in total revenue, reaching $72.4 million for the first quarter of 2025. The company also experienced a notable rise in product revenue while managing to reduce its net loss. Meanwhile, WeRide has obtained a testing permit for its autonomous logistics vehicle, Robovan W5, in the Huangpu District of Guangzhou, marking its second active road testing permit in the city. Additionally, WeRide disclosed a memorandum of understanding with the Road and Transport Authority and Uber to pilot self-driving vehicles, as part of its strategy to expand autonomous driving technology into new markets. Furthermore, WeRide is extending its collaboration with Renault (EPA:RENA) Group to provide Level-4 autonomous minibus services at the 2025 Roland-Garros tournament. The Robobus service will operate daily, including a new night service, ensuring convenient transportation for attendees. These developments reflect WeRide’s ongoing efforts to advance its autonomous vehicle operations and partnerships.
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