First nationwide permit granted for full-scale commercial deployment by end of 2025

Chinese autonomous driving pioneer WeRide ($WRD) has officially become the first company to secure a robotaxi permit for nationwide operations in Saudi Arabia, marking a critical expansion into its sixth international market after the U.S., China, UAE, Singapore, and France. The company has already begun a pilot phase in Riyadh, in collaboration with Uber, and is preparing for a full commercial rollout across the kingdom by the end of 2025.

This move positions Saudi Arabia as one of the first countries in the Middle East to approve full commercial operations of driverless vehicles on a national scale, not just in limited test zones. It aligns closely with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda, which emphasizes smart mobility, clean energy, and innovation-driven urban development.

Robotaxi Market Potential in Saudi Arabia: Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity

According to market analysts at McKinsey and IDC, the Middle East’s autonomous vehicle (AV) industry is projected to grow at an annual rate of over 25% through 2030. In Saudi Arabia alone, the robotaxi segment is estimated to reach over $4 billion annually in potential market value, concentrated in major urban centers such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Dammam.

Saudi Arabia’s population of 36+ million people, combined with rapid urbanization, limited public transportation infrastructure, and a high demand for mobility solutions, creates ideal conditions for the adoption of autonomous transportation at scale. The government has repeatedly signaled its willingness to adopt disruptive technologies—particularly those that reduce emissions and ease congestion in megacities.

Strategic Partnership with Uber: Built-In Network and Scalable Model

The ongoing pilot in Riyadh is being executed in partnership with Uber, which already operates widely across Saudi cities. This collaboration gives WeRide immediate access to an established mobility platform and a wide user base. Riders will be able to hail autonomous rides via the Uber app, with pricing structures that are expected to be competitive with traditional taxis.

Uber’s role goes beyond technology integration—it offers the platform, payment systems, and service support that dramatically accelerate go-to-market readiness. Local reports suggest that the robotaxi service will eventually integrate into municipal transportation networks, enabling further scalability and cross-sector cooperation.

Beyond Robotaxis: A Full Autonomous Ecosystem in Motion

WeRide’s Saudi initiative includes much more than just robotaxis. The company is also deploying Robobus (autonomous minibuses) and Robosweeper (self-driving street cleaners), representing a multi-tier strategy to support full-spectrum smart mobility.

These services are expected to support operations in major smart-city projects like NEOM, the futuristic $500 billion city being built in northwest Saudi Arabia. NEOM has a dedicated focus on zero-emission mobility, AI-driven infrastructure, and autonomous logistics, making it a perfect testing ground for WeRide’s fleet.

Through this diversified autonomous platform, WeRide aims to cement itself as a long-term partner in the region’s infrastructure transformation and not just a standalone robotaxi provider.

Challenges on the Road Ahead: Regulation, Public Trust, and Security

Despite the optimism, key challenges remain. Legal frameworks around insurance, liability, and cybersecurity for autonomous vehicles are still evolving, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. Moreover, public acceptance of driverless vehicles remains a hurdle.

According to local surveys, only around 35% of Saudi residents currently express willingness to ride in a fully autonomous vehicle. This highlights the need for strong public education campaigns, early rider incentives, and a consistent focus on delivering safety and reliability.

Looking Ahead: Saudi Arabia as a Testbed for Global AV Expansion

WeRide’s expansion into Saudi Arabia represents more than just market entry—it’s a signal of global maturation in autonomous mobility. For the first time, a Middle Eastern country is enabling autonomous vehicles to operate nationally, with a clear regulatory path and commercial partnerships in place.

As global competitors such as Waymo and Cruise remain largely absent from the region, WeRide’s early positioning could deliver significant strategic advantages. Furthermore, the Saudi government’s commitment to tech-forward urban development and sustainable mobility offers a rare opportunity for long-term ecosystem integration.

If successful, the WeRide model in Saudi Arabia could set the standard for similar rollouts in Qatar, the UAE, and even Israel, as regional governments compete to adopt smart city frameworks and reduce dependency on traditional transportation models.