Autonomous vehicle trials commence in Riyadh under collaboration between Saudi and Uber, WeRide
Saudi Arabia has embarked on an exciting new journey in the realm of transportation, as the city of Riyadh plays host to a groundbreaking autonomous vehicles pilot programme. Launched in July 2025, this initiative is a collaborative effort between the government and private sector, with the Transport General Authority (TGA) leading the charge.
Key government bodies supporting the pilot include the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and IT, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the Geospatial Authority. The Saudi Standards organization is also on board, ensuring that the highest safety and quality standards are met.
Private sector partners for the pilot include Uber, China-based WeRide, which is supplying the autonomous vehicles, and AiDriver. This collaboration marks an important step towards the integration of AI-driven logistics and passenger transport in the city.
The pilot programme operates across seven major locations in Riyadh, encompassing King Khalid International Airport terminals, Roshn Business Front, Princess Nourah University, and several urban sites. A total of 13 designated pickup/drop-off points have been established to facilitate smooth travel for passengers.
During the 12-month trial period, the autonomous vehicles will be monitored closely by the TGA under direct regulatory oversight. The ultimate goal is to prepare for a broader national rollout, with the ambition of positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in autonomous mobility. This aligns with Vision 2030’s objective to have 25% of goods transport autonomous by 2030.
The commercial launch of WeRide’s Robotaxi service, in partnership with Uber and AiDriver, is expected by the end of 2025. This makes Riyadh the third city globally where the two companies are jointly operating Robotaxi services.
WeRide has already made strides in the Kingdom, having deployed autonomous minibuses and street-cleaning vehicles at sites like King Fahad Medical City and Aramco residential communities. The company secured the Kingdom’s first autonomous driving permit for Robotaxi operations, a significant milestone for commercial deployment.
The initiative reflects a public-private collaboration model aimed at localizing innovation and leveraging AI for smart, sustainable transport. The deployment includes urban roads, major highways, and the pilot phase will run for 12 months under real-world conditions with onboard safety officers.
Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser stated that the project reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to enabling advanced technologies, sustainable mobility, and public-private innovation. The first phase of autonomous vehicle operations in Riyadh includes King Khalid International Airport, Princess Nourah University, and other key locations, marking a significant step towards a future where autonomous vehicles become a common sight on Saudi roads.
References:
[1] Al-Mukhaini, M. (2025). Autonomous Vehicles in Riyadh: A New Era of Transportation. Saudi Gazette. [2] Al-Shammari, A. (2025). Saudi Arabia Launches Autonomous Vehicles Pilot in Riyadh. Arab News. [3] WeRide. (2025). WeRide Robotaxi Service Launches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. WeRide Press Release. [4] Al-Saud, A. (2025). Vision 2030 and the Autonomous Vehicles Revolution in Saudi Arabia. Gulf News. [5] Al-Jasser, S. (2025). Remarks at the Autonomous Vehicles Launch Event in Riyadh. Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser Speech.
- The collaboration between the government's Ministry of Communications and IT, Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and private sector partners like Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver in the autonomous vehicles pilot programme in Riyadh is a step towards integrating technology in transportation finance.
- The aim of the 12-month autonomous vehicles pilot programme, which operates in various locations in Riyadh, including the industry sectors of King Khalid International Airport terminals, universities, and urban sites, is to position Saudi Arabia as a leader not just in transportation but also in technology-driven finance.
