In Riyadh, trials for autonomous vehicles in partnership with Uber and WeRide commence, guided by Saudi authorities
In a significant stride towards advanced mobility, WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving technology company, has launched the first official autonomous Robotaxi service in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The partnership with Uber and local firm Ai Driver marks Riyadh as the third city globally where the two companies are jointly operating Robotaxi services.
The initial phase of the pilot, which was officially launched around July 2025, covers key locations such as King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and selected central areas in Riyadh. The deployment spans urban roads and major highways and includes 13 pickup and drop-off points across seven areas in the city.
WeRide received the first autonomous driving permit for its Robotaxi from Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) after completing the Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting. This pilot marks Saudi Arabia's inaugural autonomous vehicle initiative, with the goal of transitioning to full-scale commercial Robotaxi operations by the end of 2025.
In addition to Robotaxi services, WeRide began testing and operating autonomous buses ("Robobus") as early as May 2025 in locations including King Fahad Medical City, Aramco residential areas, and AlUla. The company also launched the region's first monetized autonomous sanitation project in Riyadh.
Several government bodies including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and IT, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Geospatial Authority are backing the pilot. The Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser stated that the project reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to enabling advanced technologies, sustainable mobility, and public-private innovation.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s TGA also launched an autonomous delivery vehicle pilot involving partners Jahez and ROSHN Group. This pilot focuses on safe, innovative logistics with autonomous vehicles, highlighting broader ambitions for smart transport and logistics across Riyadh and other regions.
This pilot represents Saudi Arabia’s first official autonomous driving permit and a strategic step toward large-scale autonomous mobility deployment in the Kingdom. The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and TGA’s smart city goals, with future plans to scale-up Robotaxi services nationwide, expand autonomous logistics and sanitation solutions.
References:
- WeRide Secures Saudi Arabia's First Robotaxi Autonomous Driving Permit, Expanding Global Reach in Autonomous Mobility
- WeRide receives approval to operate in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Self-Driving Vehicle Trials
- Saudi Arabia to Launch First Autonomous Vehicles Pilot in Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia Launches First Autonomous Vehicles Trial in Riyadh
The first autonomous Robotaxi service in Riyadh, powered by WeRide, is part of a broader venture in advanced technologies, as the company also tests autonomous buses and ventures into monetized autonomous sanitation projects. This initiative is backed by multiple government bodies, including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Communications and IT.
In a bid to foster smart transport and logistics, Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority (TGA) launched an autonomous delivery vehicle pilot, marking a strategic move towards large-scale autonomous mobility deployment. This project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and TGA’s smart city goals, signifying the nation's ambition to expand autonomous mobility solutions nationwide.
(Reference: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
