WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has received Saudi Arabia’s first Robotaxi autonomous driving permit, making it the only tech company in the world with licensed autonomous products in six countries: Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Singapore, France, and the US.
This permit allows WeRide to operate autonomous vehicle (AV) services across Saudi Arabia, starting with pilot operations in Riyadh in partnership with Uber and local partner Ai Driver. The pilot covers key locations including King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and select city center spots.
A full commercial launch of Robotaxi services is expected by end-2025, through a strategic partnership with Uber. The permit was granted in an official ceremony attended by H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and TGA Chairman; and Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, along with top Saudi officials.
WeRide is the first AV tech firm to complete the Transport General Authority’s regulatory sandbox for AVs. The company passed rigorous technical validations and safety evaluations to secure this license.
Jennifer Li stated:
“This milestone accelerates our global footprint and unlocks new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia. It supports our commitment to safe and smart transportation at scale.”
WeRide entered the Saudi market in May 2025 and has since tested Robobuses at King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential zones, and the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. Its Robosweeper S1 is already in monetized use—a first in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.
In the region, WeRide is conducting fully driverless Robotaxi tests in Abu Dhabi and will soon expand to Dubai.
