Saudi Arabia conducts trials of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh, partnering with Uber and WeRide for testing purpose.
In a significant stride towards advanced mobility, Saudi Arabia has launched the first phase of autonomous vehicle operations in Riyadh. The 12-month pilot project, led by the Transport General Authority (TGA) and backed by several government bodies, is a collaborative effort involving WeRide, Uber, and Ai Driver [1][2][3].
The initiative covers key locations in Riyadh, including King Khalid International Airport terminals 2 and 5, Roshn Business Front, Princess Nourah University, the North Train Station, and more. This marks the first time autonomous vehicles are being deployed on real-world urban and highway routes in the city [1][2][3].
Key Partners
The project enjoys the support of several government bodies, including the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, the Ministry of Interior, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Geospatial Authority. Private companies involved in the partnership are WeRide, Uber, and Ai Driver [1][2][3].
Timeline
WeRide began testing Robobus and other autonomous projects in Saudi Arabia as early as May 2025. The official launch of the pilot phase for autonomous vehicles in Riyadh took place in July 2025, with WeRide receiving Saudi Arabia's first autonomous driving permit for robotaxi operations later in the same month [1][2][3].
The goal is to transition from pilot to full commercial operations by the end of 2025, based on the results of the trial phase [1][2][3].
Regulatory Approvals
The TGA directly oversees the pilot with detailed regulatory and technical supervision. WeRide’s robotaxi received the first autonomous driving permit in Saudi Arabia after completing the TGA’s Regulatory Sandbox process, which involves safety and technology assessments across multiple government agencies [1][2][3].
During the 12-month pilot, the vehicles are closely monitored by onboard safety officers for safety [1][2][3].
This project symbolises Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable, intelligent transport solutions and its ambition to establish a leadership position in autonomous mobility within the region.
In summary, the Riyadh autonomous vehicle pilot is a public-private partnership with robust government oversight, involving key players WeRide, Uber, and Ai Driver, launched in July 2025, with plans to expand commercial services by the end of 2025 following a year-long trial phase [1][2][3]. The pilot includes 13 pickup and drop-off points across seven areas in the city, spanning urban roads and major highways.
WeRide has also deployed autonomous minibuses and street-cleaning vehicles at sites like King Fahad Medical City and Aramco residential communities in the Kingdom. This marks a significant step towards a future where autonomous vehicles become an integral part of everyday life in Riyadh.
[1] Saudi Gazette [2] Arab News [3] Gulf News
The Riyadh autonomous vehicle pilot, spearheaded by the Transport General Authority (TGA) and supported by the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Geospatial Authority, seeks to transition from a 12-month trial phase to full commercial operations by the end of 2025, following robust regulatory oversight [1][2][3]. This initiative, involving key partners WeRide, Uber, and Ai Driver, extends to the deployment of autonomous vehicles across real-world urban and highway routes, including King Khalid International Airport terminals 2 and 5, Roshn Business Front, Princess Nourah University, and more [1][2][3]. Meanwhile, WeRide has already started testing autonomous minibusses and street-cleaning vehicles at various locations in the Kingdom, signaling the growing integration of autonomous vehicles in the Saudi Arabian transportation industry and finance sector.
