In a major move to accelerate the global rollout of autonomous mobility, Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide and ride-hailing leader Uber have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership. Over the next five years, the two companies will introduce self-driving services in 15 new cities across multiple continents, with a particular focus on regions outside the United States and China.
The expansion builds upon successful trials and ongoing operations in the Middle East, including an active Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi and an upcoming launch in Dubai. With this momentum, the partnership will now extend into key international markets, including cities in Europe. The companies plan to introduce the service gradually, adding several new locations each year.
Under the terms of the partnership, WeRide will provide the autonomous vehicle technology, while Uber will manage fleet operations and integrate the service into its app. This collaboration allows users to hail WeRide’s driverless Robotaxis through the familiar Uber platform, offering a seamless customer experience.
WeRide has rapidly emerged as a global player in autonomous mobility. Headquartered in China, it became the first Robotaxi company to go public and currently operates in more than 30 cities across 10 countries. The company holds permits for fully driverless operations in several leading markets, including China, the UAE, France, Singapore, and the U.S. This widespread regulatory acceptance demonstrates the maturity of WeRide’s technology and its readiness for broader deployment.
Tony Han, CEO and founder of WeRide, expressed strong optimism about the global growth strategy:
“We’re thrilled to take our collaboration with Uber to a new level. By expanding into more cities around the world, we’re demonstrating not only the strength of our technology but also our commitment to making autonomous driving solutions widely available and more affordable. This partnership is a key part of our mission to transform urban transportation and build a smarter, cleaner future.”
Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also praised the expansion as a landmark moment for both companies and the broader AV industry:
“This is one of the most ambitious partnerships in the autonomous mobility space to date. We’re excited to work alongside a technology leader like WeRide to bring self-driving services to more markets. Our global scale, deep operational expertise, and powerful marketplace platform will help WeRide commercialize its vehicles and deliver the benefits of autonomy to more people than ever before.”
This move positions both Uber and WeRide at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry. By combining world-class AV technology with Uber’s global infrastructure, the partnership is poised to redefine urban transportation, offering safer, cleaner, and more efficient travel options in major cities around the world.
