Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: WeRide, the global leader in autonomous driving technology, secured the permit to operate an autonomous vehicle (AV) business and deploy Robotaxis across Saudi Arabia, starting with its pilot operations in Riyadh with Uber and local partner Ai Driver.

With this permit, WeRide became the first technology company with products holding autonomous driving permits in six countries: Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the US, according to the company’s recent statement.

The pilot operations were launched earlier this month, covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations throughout Riyadh, including major highways and selected city center destinations. A full-scale commercial Robotaxi service is expected to launch by the end of 2025 through a partnership between WeRide and Uber.

The permit was granted to WeRide in a ceremony attended by Saleh 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; and other senior Saudi government officials.

WeRide is the first AV technology company whose Robotaxi has completed the TGA's Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting in Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on this milestone, Li said: “This permit marks a major step in our global expansion, enabling us to scale Robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia. It drives large-scale deployment, unlocks new revenue streams, and reinforces our commitment to making autonomous mobility a reality worldwide.”

In addition to its Robotaxi, WeRide has been testing and operating its Robobus in key locations, including King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential communities, AlUla, and the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.