Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have announced their intention to significantly expand their robotaxi partnership, targeting service launches in 15 additional cities over the next five years. This ambitious expansion plan follows just five months after the firms jointly debuted a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi.
Under the terms of the partnership, users access WeRide’s robotaxi service through the Uber app, a model similar to Uber’s existing collaboration with Waymo. In these arrangements, Uber manages fleet logistics, routing, and network operations, while its AV partners, including WeRide, maintain responsibility for developing and operating autonomous vehicle technology.
The upcoming 15-city expansion aims primarily at markets outside the U.S. and China, with a special emphasis on bringing robotaxis to selected European cities. In addition to their current operations in Abu Dhabi, Uber and the Nasdaq-listed WeRide stated they will soon launch coverage in Dubai. For fleet management operations in Abu Dhabi, the two companies collaborate closely with UAE-based Tawasul Transport.
In recent years, Uber has aggressively broadened its autonomous vehicle ambitions, building partnerships with over 15 AV companies worldwide. These deals span various domains, including passenger ride-hailing, autonomous deliveries, and self-driving trucking solutions. Recent announcements include collaborations with Michigan-based May Mobility, Volkswagen, and Chinese AV firm Momenta.
In the United States, Uber’s most visible partnership remains its successful venture with Waymo, currently operational in Austin, Texas, and soon expanding to Atlanta, Georgia, later this year.
