Uber Deepens WeRide Investment as Driverless Taxis Go Live in Dubai

A driverless taxi service is now live for paying customers in Dubai, marking a significant step in the commercial partnership between Uber and China's WeRide. Riders can book the autonomous vehicles directly through Uber's app across several key districts, including Dubai Silicon Oasis and the industrial zones of Jabal Ali.

This launch follows a non-commercial pilot that began last December. A key change: the vehicles now operate without a human safety driver on board, a shift enabled by a recent permit from Dubai's transport authority. The expansion coincides with a regulatory filing showing Uber has increased its stake in WeRide to 5.82%, an investment worth approximately $400 million at current valuation.

Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, described the launch as a move toward a "hybrid world" where human drivers and autonomous vehicles coexist on the platform. The companies aim to deploy services in up to 15 additional cities within five years, with European markets reportedly on the list.

The operational model mirrors Uber's arrangement with Waymo. Uber manages the customer interface and network logistics, while WeRide retains responsibility for the core autonomous driving technology. This division of labor highlights a growing trend where ride-hailing platforms integrate specialized AV tech into their existing networks, rather than developing the capability in-house.

Source: TechCrunch