Buckle up! You can now get a robotaxi ride in Riyadh
Uber has officially begun offering autonomous robotaxi passenger rides in Saudi Arabia, following a partnership with Chinese self-driving technology company WeRide
A taxi with no driver? You better believe it because it’s here in Saudi Arabia. Self-driving cars are slowly becoming less sci-fi and more real-world.
WeRide, an autonomous driving technology company, has partnered with Uber Technologies to offer autonomous Robotaxi passenger rides in Riyadh. This collaboration marks the first time that autonomous vehicles are available on the Uber platform in the Kingdom.
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So what does that mean for those of us looking for driverless rides? Here’s what you need to know.
The future of mobility has officially hit the streets, with public robotaxi operations now underway. However, these autonomous vehicles are currently only running on dedicated routes between Roshn Front and Princess Noura University, giving Riyadh residents a glimpse of what’s next in urban transport.
Booking is as easy as any other Uber ride. Passengers who would like a first-hand experience of driverless mobility in Saudi Arabia simply need the Uber mobile application and select the new “Autonomous” category featuring a WeRide robotaxi GXR for their journey.
Oh, and the best part? Rides are currently free of charge (for now, at least).
During the initial rollout phase, each Robotaxi will include a vehicle operator to ensure a safer and more reliable experience for both riders and pedestrians. The plan is to transition to fully driverless operations in the future.
This initiative is a significant step in Uber’s ongoing partnership with the Transport General Authority (TGA) of Saudi Arabia.
The launch follows the Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles, which was inaugurated by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and chairman of the Board of the TGA, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, in July.
Prior to this, WeRide received Saudi Arabia’s first Robotaxi autonomous driving permit and became the first AV technology company to complete the TGA’s Regulatory Sandbox for AV Piloting in Saudi Arabia.
The introduction of WeRide’s Robotaxi service in Riyadh comes after the public launch of the service on the Uber platform in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2024.
Images: Supplied
