Uber to Partner With China’s WeRide for Autonomous Vehicles, Beginning in UAE

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Uber and WeRide sign partnership.

Uber Technologies Inc. has entered into a partnership with Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide Corp. to promote self-driving taxis on Uber’s global platform, with the first deployment set to take place in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year, the two companies said Wednesday.

Founded in 2017, WeRide develops autonomous driving technology and is testing or deploying it commercially in 30 cities in seven countries. In July 2023, the company was granted the United Arab Emirates’ first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, enabling it to test and operate its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the entire country.

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Uber partnered with Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide to introduce self-driving taxis on its platform, starting in Abu Dhabi by year-end.
WeRide, valued at $4.4 billion, operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE and has a license to test on public roads across the country.
Uber, focusing on strategic partnerships after selling its ATG division, collaborates with multiple firms including Waymo, GM's Cruise, and Wayve for autonomous vehicle development.

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Who’s Who

Uber Technologies Inc.: Uber Technologies Inc. has entered a partnership with Chinese startup WeRide Corp. to launch self-driving taxis via Uber’s platform, starting in Abu Dhabi by year-end. Initially developing autonomous vehicles through its ATG division, Uber sold ATG in 2020 and has since focused on strategic partnerships. Notable collaborations include Waymo in Phoenix, GM's Cruise, and British startup Wayve. Uber has 156 million monthly active users and is advancing its autonomous vehicle ambitions globally, excluding the U.S. and China.

WeRide Corp.: WeRide Corp., a Chinese autonomous driving startup founded in 2017, develops and tests self-driving technology in 30 cities across seven countries. Valued at $4.4 billion after a funding round in January 2022, it holds the UAE's only national license for autonomous vehicles. WeRide operates the UAE's largest robotaxi fleet via the TXAI app and plans a major U.S. IPO. Its partnership with Uber excludes the U.S. and China markets.

Aurora: Aurora is a self-driving technology company that acquired Uber's Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) for $4 billion in 2020. Since then, Uber pivoted to forming strategic partnerships with external tech firms to advance its autonomous vehicle ambitions. Aurora continues to develop autonomous driving technologies independently.

Waymo: Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, partnered with Uber in May 2023 to launch self-driving taxis in Phoenix, Arizona, allowing Waymo’s fleet to operate through Uber’s platform. This collaboration is part of Uber’s strategy to advance its autonomous taxi ambitions through strategic partnerships after selling its ATG division to Aurora in 2020.

Cruise: Cruise, GM’s self-driving unit, has signed an agreement to test its robotaxis in Dubai, aiming to contribute to the city's plan to make 25% of its transportation fully autonomous by 2030. Cruise is also one of the partners Uber has teamed up with to enhance its autonomous vehicle offerings.

Wayve: Wayve is a British startup focused on developing autonomous vehicle technology. Uber has invested in Wayve to expand its autonomous vehicle portfolio. The partnership highlights Uber's strategy of forming alliances with external tech firms after selling its own autonomous vehicle division, ATG, in 2020.

Tesla: Tesla is preparing to launch its own robotaxi, expected in October after delays. CEO Elon Musk has predicted that operational robotaxis will be available by 2025. This move has reignited competition in the global autonomous taxi market.

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What Happened When

January 2022：: WeRide was backed by the China-UAE Investment Cooperation Fund in a funding round, which gave the company a valuation of $4.4 billion.

2023：: Cruise signed an agreement with Dubai to test its robotaxis in the kingdom.

May 2023：: Uber partnered with Waymo, a Google subsidiary, to launch self-driving taxis in Phoenix, Arizona.

July 2023：: WeRide was granted the United Arab Emirates’ first and only national license for self-driving vehicles.

July 2023：: WeRide filed for what could be the biggest U.S. initial public offering by a Chinese company since Didi Global Inc.’s 2021 listing.

September 25, 2024：: Uber and WeRide announced their partnership to promote self-driving taxis on Uber’s global platform, with the first deployment set to take place in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year.

AI generated, for reference only