WeRide’s robotaxi deployment in the United Arab Emirates has been named one of the Top 10 examples of international AI cooperation in China’s newly released “AI From China Benefits the World (2026)” case collection, with WeRide the only autonomous driving company included on the list. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released the report at the main forum of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai this week, an initiative that has highlighted AI cooperation projects delivering social and economic value internationally since 2024. WeRide operates commercial robotaxi service in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, accessible through Uber, and the company reports it is currently the only operator outside the United States providing fully driverless robotaxi rides on the platform.
Highlights
- Named the only autonomous driving company among China’s Top 10 AI cooperation case studies in the NDRC’s 2026 report, released at WAIC in Shanghai
- WeRide’s robotaxi network covers approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi’s core urban areas, spanning operations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah
- The company’s autonomous driving products operate in more than 40 cities across 12 countries, with permits held in eight countries
- WeRide’s global Level 4 autonomous driving fleet exceeds 3,000 vehicles
A Four-Year Head Start in the UAE
WeRide began public robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi in 2021, becoming one of the first autonomous driving companies to establish service in the country. In July 2023, the company became the first to receive the UAE’s national license for self-driving vehicles, authorizing autonomous vehicle testing and operation on public roads nationwide, subject to local approvals.
In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched what the companies describe as the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the United States and China, based in Abu Dhabi. Operations expanded to Ras Al Khaimah in October 2025, bringing WeRide’s UAE footprint to a third emirate. The following month, WeRide became the first company to launch fully driverless commercial robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, enabled by what the company says is the first city-level L4 autonomous driving commercial permit issued outside the United States.
Regional Reach Aligns With UAE Mobility Targets
WeRide’s robotaxi network now covers approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi’s core urban areas, with operations spanning Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah. The expansion tracks the UAE’s broader transportation strategy: Dubai has set a goal of making 25% of all transportation journeys autonomous by 2030, while Abu Dhabi is advancing separate plans to increase the share of autonomous mobility in the coming decades.
Expanding Global Footprint
Beyond the UAE, WeRide has launched public robotaxi service in Riyadh and Singapore, and the company is expanding into Madrid and Zurich. WeRide’s autonomous driving products now have a presence in more than 40 cities across 12 countries. The company holds autonomous driving permits in eight countries — China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the United States — and operates a global Level 4 autonomous driving fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles.
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