Uber Invests $100M in WeRide for Robotaxi Expansion

Uber and WeRide Expand Robotaxi Partnership

Uber and WeRide, a Chinese firm specializing in autonomous vehicle technology, are planning a significant expansion of their collaborative robotaxi service. The intention is to introduce this service to an additional 15 cities globally within the next five years.

Recent Developments and Investment

This expansion follows the initial launch of a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, which occurred just five months prior. To support this growth, Uber will be increasing its investment in WeRide by $100 million.

According to a recent regulatory filing, WeRide anticipates receiving these funds during the latter half of 2025. This financial commitment underscores Uber’s confidence in WeRide’s technology and the potential of the robotaxi market.

Geographic Focus and Operational Model

The expansion plans encompass cities located in Europe, marking a key step in the partnership’s international reach. WeRide’s robotaxi services will be directly accessible to users through the existing Uber app.

The operational structure mirrors Uber’s existing agreement with Waymo. Uber will manage network routing and fleet operations, while WeRide will retain responsibility for the underlying autonomous vehicle technology.

Current Operations and Future Plans

Currently, Uber and WeRide are jointly operating in Abu Dhabi, with plans to extend services to Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, they collaborate with Tawasul Transport for efficient fleet management.

The forthcoming 15 cities will be selected outside of both China and the United States, broadening the service’s global footprint.

Uber’s Broader AV Strategy

Over the past two years, Uber has established over 15 partnerships with various autonomous vehicle technology companies. These collaborations span across ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking sectors.

Recent agreements include partnerships with May Mobility (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Volkswagen, and the Chinese self-driving company, Momenta. The most prominent U.S. partnership remains with Waymo.

Waymo Collaboration

The Waymo on Uber service is currently operational in Austin, Texas, and is slated to launch in Atlanta soon. This demonstrates Uber’s commitment to integrating autonomous vehicle technology into its core offerings.

Note: This article was initially published on May 5th and has been updated to reflect Uber’s increased capital commitment to WeRide.