Saudi Arabia has granted its first autonomous driving permit to WeRide to launch a robotaxi service across the country.
WeRide, which now holds autonomous driving permits in six nations, will carry out its robotaxi operations with pilot services in Riyadh in collaboration with Uber and local partner Ai Driver.
The pilot programme, which began earlier this month, includes routes covering King Khalid International Airport and various strategic locations in Riyadh.
The initiative paves the way for a full-scale commercial Robotaxi service anticipated to launch by the end of this year.
WeRide head and CFO Jennifer 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. We thank the TGA for supporting our vision for safer, smarter transportation at scale.”
WeRide claims to be the first autonomous vehicle (AV) technology firm to complete the TGA's Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting in Saudi Arabia.
The comprehensive approval process involved in-depth testing, assessments, and technology validation to ensure the highest safety and performance standards are met.
The company's entry into the Saudi market this May has been followed by several initiatives, including the testing and operation of its robobus at primary locations such as King Fahad Medical City and Aramco residential communities.
Moreover, its Robosweeper S1 is already in service at King Fahad Medical City and Riyadh Second Health Cluster, marking Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East’s “first monetised autonomous sanitation project".
WeRide's regional expansion continues with its robotaxis undergoing fully driverless testing in Abu Dhabi, a first in the Middle East, and plans to extend Robotaxi services to Dubai.
In addition to its operational achievements, WeRide recently unveiled its latest high-performance computing platform, HPC 3.0, co-developed with Lenovo.
