Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a company specializing in autonomous driving technology, have announced an expansion of their strategic partnership. Over the next five years, they plan to launch autonomous vehicle services in 15 additional cities outside the U.S. and China, including in Europe.
Following previous launches in Abu Dhabi and an upcoming deployment in Dubai, WeRide’s Robotaxi services will be available through the Uber app in new markets. Uber will manage fleet operations in these cities.
“We are excited to take our partnership with Uber to new heights. Expanding into new cities across multiple continents reflects both companies’ confidence in our technology and our shared commitment to innovative, sustainable transportation solutions,” said Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide. “This expansion aligns with WeRide’s ambitious strategy for global growth – to make autonomous driving solutions more affordable and accessible to people worldwide.”
“Today’s announcement – one of the biggest partnerships of its kind ever announced – is a significant milestone towards realizing the promise of autonomous mobility in more places around the world,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. ”By leveraging Uber’s global scale, operational expertise, and leading marketplace technology, we are thrilled to partner with cutting-edge AV companies like WeRide to help them commercialize their vehicles and bring the benefits of autonomy to more riders.”
