Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter to announce a significant development in the autonomous driving industry.
The UAE has granted its first national license for self-driving vehicles, and the recipient is none other than WeRide, an L4 autonomous driving technology company from China.
This marks the first national-level autonomous driving license not only in the Middle East but also globally.
This picture taken on November 30, 2021, shows a view of some of the self-driving taxis being used in a tech demonstration in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, to transport passengers to the nearby Yas Island.
Road Testing and Operations Coming Soon
Armed with this license, WeRide has obtained the authority to engage in various road testing and operations of autonomous driving vehicles within the UAE.
Dubai, in particular, has set ambitious goals for its transportation system, aiming to achieve 25% fully autonomous operation by 2030.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasized that the issuance of the self-driving license reflects the country's commitment to transforming its future mobility patterns. WeRide's path to securing this national self-driving license involved prior testing and operations of its Robotaxi on specific UAE roads for more than a year.
The recent announcement by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi revealed that visitors to Saadiyat Island and Yas Island during the Eid al-Adha holiday can now enjoy free autonomous driving car services.
One of the models available is called "TXAI," a result of collaboration between WeRide and the locally listed company Bayanat.
Expanding its reach globally, WeRide has been venturing into different markets, with the Middle East standing out as a key focus area.
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China-UAE Partnership
In a strategic move earlier this year, WeRide established its presence in the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone, solidifying its commitment to accelerating the commercialization of autonomous driving technology in the UAE region.
WeRide's achievements extend beyond the UAE. Notably, the company made an impression at the 2022 Global Artificial Intelligence Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it showcased its innovative solutions.
Building on this success, WeRide announced a collaboration with the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company (SCAI) to introduce the first dynamic robobus route in Saudi Arabia.
These advancements culminated in a memorandum of cooperation signed between WeRide's Vice President, Jennifer Li, and the CEO of Ajlan & Brothers Holding Group, Ali AlHazmi, during the China-Arab States Expo and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in December 2022.
The agreement aims to promote the adoption of autonomous driving vehicles in Saudi Arabia.
WeRide's license to operate self-driving vehicles in the UAE marks a significant milestone for both the company and the autonomous driving industry as a whole. As WeRide continues to forge partnerships and expand its autonomous driving products and services internationally, it may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility in the Middle East and beyond.
"In the future, WeRide will continue to deepen its presence in the Middle East region and bring high-quality autonomous driving technology, products, and services to more customers and consumers," WeRide said in a statement.
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