Autonomous driving company WeRide has been included in China's Top 10 examples of international cooperation in AI technologies and products for its autonomous driving deployment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The recognition was announced at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), where China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released the AI From China Benefits the World (2026) case collection.
WeRide is the only autonomous driving company featured in the Top 10 list. The annual collection showcases Chinese AI projects that have delivered measurable impact in international markets.
This case study reveals WeRide’s growth in the UAE and the company’s cooperation with local authorities to provide autonomous driving services. The company claims that through this project it shows how Chinese autonomous driving technology can be used in other countries without violating local legislation.
The firm came into the UAE market in 2021 by unveiling the public Robotaxi in Abu Dhabi. In 2023, the firm became the first firm to obtain the national license of the UAE to conduct self-driving vehicles in the region for testing purposes.
In December 2024, the company grew its operations through a partnership with Uber. The company launched the largest commercial Robotaxi outside of the US and China. In October 2025, the services were extended to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
In November 2025, WeRide began fully driverless commercial Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi after receiving what it said was the world's first city-level Level 4 autonomous driving commercial permit issued outside the US.
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Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, said the recognition reflects the company's international expansion efforts.
“This recognition reflects WeRide's commitment to bringing safe, reliable autonomous driving technology to global markets through close collaboration with governments and industry partners. Our experience in the UAE demonstrates how Chinese AI innovation can contribute to smarter and more sustainable transportation systems worldwide,” Li said.
According to the company, WeRide currently operates fully driverless Robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai through the Uber platform. It says it is the only operator outside the United States offering fully driverless Robotaxi services on Uber.
WeRide said its autonomous driving products are deployed in more than 40 cities across 12 countries. The company also holds autonomous driving permits in eight countries and operates a global fleet of more than 3,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles across Robotaxi, Robobus, Robovan and other autonomous mobility services.