Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a landmark agreement with Uber Technologies and autonomous driving leader WeRide to begin pilot operations of self-driving vehicles in the city later this year.
The move marks a significant step toward Dubai’s vision of smart, sustainable mobility, with fully driverless services planned for commercial rollout by 2026.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, autonomous vehicles will initially operate through the Uber app with a safety driver onboard. The pilot phase, currently under preparation by Uber and WeRide, will be overseen and supported strategically by the RTA.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of RTA, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal to convert 25% of all trips into autonomous journeys by 2030. He described the collaboration as reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global hub for advanced and sustainable transport solutions.
Uber’s Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, Frans Hiemstra, highlighted the partnership as part of Uber’s commitment to making autonomous, electric, and shared transportation accessible worldwide. Meanwhile, WeRide’s CFO Jennifer Li noted the Middle East as a key region in the company’s international expansion, expressing pride in supporting Dubai’s ambitious smart mobility targets.
The pilot program represents Dubai’s broader strategy to integrate autonomous vehicles across multiple transport modes, enhancing road safety, sustainability, and connectivity. As governments and tech firms accelerate development and regulation, Dubai aims to lead the global transition toward autonomous urban mobility.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
