WeRide Becomes First to Drive Autonomous Future in Saudi Arabia

Chinese Robotaxi Startup Wins Historic License, Tapping Riyadh for Global Expansion

Saudi Arabia has officially entered the self-driving era—and it’s a Chinese company at the wheel. WeRide, one of China’s top autonomous vehicle firms, has just become the first to receive the Kingdom’s autonomous driving license. The announcement was made on July 28, confirming that WeRide’s Robotaxi has been cleared to operate commercially throughout Saudi Arabia.

That puts WeRide in a league of its own. No other company currently holds autonomous vehicle licenses in as many countries—six in total, including the U.S., France, China, UAE, Singapore, and now Saudi Arabia.

From Shanghai to Riyadh: A License That Opens Doors

This isn’t just a symbolic win—it’s a tangible step forward for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a tech and mobility hub in the Gulf. WeRide’s license gives it the green light to run autonomous vehicles across the Kingdom, beginning with its pilot project in Riyadh.

The company has already kicked off testing in the capital, covering key transport zones like King Khalid International Airport, central business areas, and major expressways. And it’s not going solo. The program is being run in tandem with Uber and local Saudi firm AiDriver.

It’s a big deal for the region. Until now, autonomous vehicle testing in the Middle East has largely stayed in controlled zones or small pilot areas. WeRide’s entry changes the equation.

A Regulatory Sandbox Built for Bold Moves

Saudi Arabia isn’t just handing out licenses without scrutiny. The country’s Transport General Authority (TGA) has created a “regulatory sandbox” to tightly manage and evaluate new technologies like autonomous driving.

This is where WeRide stood out. Its Robotaxi system was the first to successfully pass all the requirements laid out by the TGA’s sandbox framework—

• Safety validation through on-road simulations

• Rigorous data logging and performance reviews

• Cybersecurity testing and vehicle redundancy checks

It wasn’t a one-agency operation either. Several government departments, including transport, telecom, and interior ministries, were involved in evaluating the tech.

Only after months of review did WeRide get the green light. The approval was granted during a public launch event in Riyadh last week, part of the Kingdom’s growing push to embrace automated mobility as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.

Uber and AiDriver Join the Ride

Uber’s involvement may raise some eyebrows, but it fits neatly into the puzzle. The ride-hailing giant is keen to expand its footprint in the Middle East, and this partnership lets it test autonomous fleet integration without building its own AV tech.

AiDriver, the Saudi partner, brings local tech know-how and on-ground operational support. Together, the three are laying the groundwork for a scaled rollout later this year.

That launch, expected by the end of 2025, will move Robotaxi service from trial to commercial status. Pricing, fleet size, and operating hours are still under wraps, but insiders say it’ll start with limited daytime service in Riyadh before expanding to other cities.

One official involved in the launch told us: “It’s not just about putting a car on the road. It’s about showing the system works—traffic, pedestrians, sandstorms, you name it. This is Saudi, not Silicon Valley.”

A Country Betting Big on Future Transport

Saudi Arabia has been on a mission to rewire its economy beyond oil, and transport is a major piece of that puzzle. NEOM, the futuristic $500 billion mega-city, plans to run on a mix of autonomous shuttles, drones, and electric vehicles.

Riyadh’s Robotaxi launch is a more grounded start—but no less strategic.

• It signals trust in Chinese AV technology

• It gives investors a real-world testbed for AV deployment

• It boosts the credibility of TGA’s regulatory framework

Here’s a quick snapshot of WeRide’s global license portfolio:

That’s six countries, spanning Asia, the Gulf, Europe, and North America.

What Comes Next? More Than Just Robotaxis

WeRide isn’t stopping at passenger vehicles. The company has already teased plans to introduce autonomous minibuses and logistics vans in Saudi Arabia, especially in special economic zones.

There’s also talk of integrating Robotaxi systems into tourism zones like AlUla and the Red Sea Project—where human traffic is limited and AV safety control is easier to manage.

But big questions still hang in the air:

• How will Saudis take to driverless rides?

• Will the regulatory body maintain safety standards under pressure to scale?

• Can foreign players like WeRide navigate the Kingdom’s unique business environment long-term?

“We’re optimistic, but cautious,” said one Saudi mobility analyst. “This is a high-visibility win for WeRide, but it’s also a test. If anything goes wrong, the backlash will be fierce.”

Final Thoughts: Why This Moment Matters

WeRide’s Saudi license isn’t just another press release for AV nerds. It’s a data point on a much bigger trend—autonomous vehicles moving from buzzwords to business.

For Saudi Arabia, it’s a confidence play. The Kingdom is putting real faith—and regulation—behind next-gen mobility. And for WeRide, it’s a passport to the big leagues, not just as a tech company, but as a global transportation player.

This also opens the door for other countries in the region to consider licensing AVs under similar frameworks. Bahrain, Oman, and even Egypt are watching closely.

No one knows exactly how this’ll shake out. But as of now, WeRide’s Robotaxis have the keys to the Kingdom.