Field preparations are currently underway
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Uber Technologies and autonomous vehicle developer WeRide to introduce driverless transport services in the Arabian Gulf emirate.
The agreement, signed in Dubai, outlines plans to begin a pilot phase later this year and to launch fully autonomous services by 2026.
Autonomous vehicles will initially be deployed through the Uber app and will operate with a safety driver on board. The collaboration forms part of Dubai’s wider strategy to integrate autonomous technologies into its mobility network, aligned with the Dubai government’s goal of making 25 per cent of all transport trips in the emirate autonomous by 2030.
Field preparations for the pilot are currently underway. Uber and WeRide are leading the project with oversight from Dubai’s RTA. Senior officials from the three parties attended the signing ceremony for the MoU in Dubai. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Dubai’s Public Transport Agency, Frans Hiemstra, Uber Technologies’ Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, and Eric Dong, Director at WeRide.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of Dubai’s RTA, stated that integrating autonomous vehicles into the transport system would enhance safety, reduce emissions, and improve last-mile connectivity for users. He added that the initiative reflects the broader transition underway globally, as governments and private sector companies push ahead with infrastructure, regulation, and technological development to support autonomous mobility.
Al Tayer also stated that the partnership would facilitate the introduction of various self-driving modes in the future, including air taxis and autonomous marine transport, thereby reinforcing Dubai’s position as a testbed for next-generation transport solutions.
Uber’s Hiemstra confirmed that the company would launch autonomous services in Dubai in 2025, with WeRide as its first technology partner. He said the project aligns with Uber’s global strategy to develop shared and electric autonomous transportation options. The service will initially be available to a limited number of riders through the Uber platform, with the experience gradually expanded over time.
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Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer of WeRide, said the Middle East is a key part of the company’s global expansion. She stated that WeRide’s partnership with Uber would eventually extend to multiple cities across the region and added that Dubai’s 2030 vision for autonomous mobility aligns closely with WeRide’s strategic objectives.
Dubai has already trialled autonomous technologies across several sectors, including self-driving shuttles, air mobility, and marine transport. Authorities say the integration of autonomous vehicles into public infrastructure will not only improve the quality of life for residents but also attract international investment in innovative mobility solutions.
Officials did not disclose the exact number of vehicles to be deployed during the pilot or the specific areas of operation. However, the data collected during the trial will inform regulations and operational models for the broader rollout, which is expected in 2026.
The UAE has been positioning itself as a regional hub for innovation in transport, with a focus on sustainability, artificial intelligence, and reduced dependence on private vehicles. The partnership with Uber and WeRide is the latest in a series of steps by Dubai’s RTA to accelerate this shift and ensure Dubai remains at the forefront of mobility development in the Middle East region.
Image: Stakeholders at the MoU signing ceremony in Dubai. Credit: Dubai’s RTA
