Uber plans to initially launch WeRide’s robot taxis in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year. The partnership does not include the US or Chinese markets.
(A vehicle using WeRide’s technology will be exhibited at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2024. Image courtesy of CnEVPost)
Chinese startup WeRide will offer robotaxi services on Uber Technologies’ (NYSE: UBER) platform, marking a new partnership between the U.S. ride-sharing giant and the Chinese company.
On September 25, WeRide announced a strategic partnership with Uber to promote the use of its self-driving vehicles on Uber’s platform, and will initially begin operations in the UAE.
The partnership will be launched in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi by the end of the year, when WeRide’s robot taxis will be available to consumers on the Uber app, the Chinese startup said in a statement yesterday.
Local passengers will be presented with a new travel option when using the Uber app, and can choose to complete their trip by riding in a WeRide robotaxi.
Notably, WeRide stressed that the partnership does not include the US or Chinese markets.
(WeRide has partnered with Uber to offer robotaxis on its platform. Image courtesy of WeRide)
WeRide is the latest Chinese company to partner with Uber. The US company announced on July 31 that it has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) to bring 100,000 of BYD’s new electric vehicles onto the Uber platform to cover key markets around the world.
The partnership between Uber and BYD will begin in Europe and Latin America and expand to markets including the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
WeRide was founded in 2017 and its products include Robo-taxis, Mini Robo-buses, Robo-vans, Robo-street sweepers and SAE L2-L4 solutions for high-level intelligent driving.
According to WeRide’s website, the company is currently testing and operating autonomous vehicles in 30 cities across seven countries, and is the only company to hold autonomous testing licenses in four countries simultaneously: China, the US, the UAE and Singapore.
In July 2023, WeRide was approved to test and operate self-driving vehicles on public roads in the UAE.
WeRide now operates the largest fleet of robotaxi vehicles in the UAE, accessible to locals through the TXAI app, the Chinese company said in a statement yesterday.
WeRide has filed for an IPO in the United States and plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “WRD.”
The company plans to raise $440 million through an initial public offering and private placement, with some investors agreeing to purchase $320.5 million of Class A common stock, according to the prospectus.
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