Uber increases stake in WeRide as robotaxi partnership ramps up in Dubai

Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have launched fully driverless robotaxi services in Dubai, allowing riders to book rides through Uber’s app in various commercial, industrial, suburban, and maritime districts. This marks a significant step up from their initial December pilot, which featured human safety operators and free rides. The deployment follows the UAE government’s Roads and Transport Authority granting a driverless vehicle trial permit last month, signaling regulatory support for autonomous mobility in the region. The service is operated locally by Tawasul, a UAE-based mobility and fleet operator. Concurrently, Uber has increased its equity stake in WeRide to 5.82%, valued at approximately $400 million, reflecting its deepening commitment to the partnership and the broader expansion of robotaxi services. This collaboration, initiated in May 2025, aims to extend WeRide’s autonomous vehicle operations to 15 additional cities worldwide over five years, including locations in Europe. The partnership model mirrors Uber’s arrangement with Waymo, where Uber manages