9:43 pm - February 14, 2026
WeRide, a leading autonomous driving technology company, has begun pilot operations of its Robotaxi GXR and Robobus services in Ras Al Khaimah, signalling a significant step towards integrating self-driving vehicles into the UAE’s public transport network and supporting the region’s future mobility ambitions.
WeRide, a prominent player in the autonomous driving tech scene, has taken a big step in expanding its presence regionally by launching pilot operations of its Robotaxi GXR and Robobus services in Ras Al Khaimah. This marks the very first time WeRide’s self-driving vehicles are being tested out in the emirate, signifying its entry into a third market within the UAE. The move is part of a larger collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), aiming to weave autonomous technology into the emirate’s public transportation network and support RAKTA’s ambitious Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030.
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and a member of the UAE Supreme Council, was on hand to ceremoniously become the first passenger to ride in the Robobus on real roads. The event attracted notable figures like Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yiming and RAKTA’s Director General, H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, which underscores just how significant this project really is—both nationally and internationally.
Right now, the Robobus runs on nine key stops around Al Marjan Island, a fast-growing hotspot for tourists, packed with hotels, resorts, and famous landmarks like the Mövenpick Resort, Hampton by Hilton, and Pullman Hotel. There’s already talk of expanding service further to Mina Island. Meanwhile, the Robotaxi GXR is serving folks around Ras Al Khaimah’s city center, offering a smooth, driverless ride for residents and visitors alike.
Ras Al Khaimah’s official approach to mobility is all about blending better infrastructure with sustainability and tech innovation. These pilot services are expected to become a commercial reality starting early 2026, with users able to book Robotaxi rides and see Robobus locations via a digital mobility app created by RAKTA. At first, there will be safety officers onboard during rides to oversee operations, but plans to shift to fully driverless services depend on future approvals from regulators.
This partnership between WeRide and RAKTA is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, which lays out an extensive framework covering tech deployment, operational support, and training programs too. Jennifer Li, WeRide’s CFO and Head of International, and H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi signed the agreement, setting things in motion for ongoing cooperation—focused on refining protocols and standards for autonomous vehicle deployment.
Introducing self-driving vehicles into Ras Al Khaimah aligns with the emirate’s broader ambitions to boost its tourism, especially on Al Marjan Island, which is set to host the Middle East’s first casino. Bringing WeRide’s autonomous transport into the mix could significantly improve connectivity for visitors and locals, especially on those tricky first-and-last-mile stretches, offering a modern, more efficient alternative to traditional taxis or buses.
That said, despite these exciting developments, WeRide has faced some financial hurdles in 2025. Its stock price has declined by over 27% so far this year, which is quite a contrast to Pony AI, that’s seen gains of more than 60%. The drop was partly driven by new regulatory rules announced in Beijing, which now require Chinese exporters of electric passenger cars to get new licenses starting January 2026. These tighter rules could pose challenges for WeRide’s overseas ambitions, including its push in markets like Dubai—where it recently received a permit for Robotaxi testing and was awarded nearly $1 million at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport.
But despite those challenges, WeRide’s plans are still pretty ambitious. The company wants to massively scale up its fleet in the Gulf, aiming to go from 50 Robotaxis now to a thousand by 2030. They’re also aiming for fully driverless operation within that same period, positioning themselves as a future leader in autonomous mobility for the Middle East.
All in all, Ras Al Khaimah’s move to embrace self-driving transportation signals a key shift towards smarter, more sustainable mobility in the UAE. By integrating these advanced autonomous systems into its existing public transport framework, the emirate is setting an example that others in the Gulf might follow. It’s a strategic mix of innovation, urban growth, and environmental consciousness. This pilot isn’t just about trying out new tech; it’s an experimental platform and a potential catalyst for future regulations that could speed up the broader adoption of autonomous transport across the region.
As WeRide’s pilot project advances, everyone will be watching closely—particularly regulatory bodies, safety standards, and how passengers react. These factors are crucial in figuring out whether autonomous vehicles can really thrive commercially in the Middle East. The partnership with RAKTA offers a valuable blueprint for how tech companies and local governments can team up to pioneer new mobility solutions, even while navigating the unique challenges each market presents.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/10/47989635/ras-al-khaimah-gets-its-first-self-driving-buses-and-taxis-thanks-to-weride – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/02/3160172/0/en/WeRide-Launches-Robotaxi-and-Robobus-Pilots-in-Ras-Al-Khaimah-Expanding-Into-Third-UAE-Emirate.html – WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has launched Robotaxi GXR and Robobus pilot operations in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA). This marks WeRide’s first deployment in Ras Al Khaimah and its expansion into a third UAE emirate. The pilot integrates WeRide’s autonomous vehicles into the emirate’s public transport system, laying the foundation for broader commercialization across the country. His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, became the first passenger to ride the Robobus on public roads. The Robobus operates across nine stops on Al Marjan Island, connecting hotels, resorts, and landmarks, with plans to extend into Mina Island. The Robotaxi GXR serves the city centre of Ras Al Khaimah. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026 as part of RAKTA’s public transport system. Passengers will be able to book Robotaxi rides and track Robobus locations via RAKTA’s digital mobility app. Services will start with a safety officer onboard, with fully driverless operations planned for a later phase pending regulatory approval. This launch is part of RAKTA’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, aiming to integrate multiple transport modes into the existing mobility network while advancing sustainability. WeRide and RAKTA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering technical solutions, operational support, and training for autonomous vehicle deployment. The agreement was signed by H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, Director General of RAKTA, and Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International of WeRide. Ras Al Khaimah is accelerating its tourism push, particularly on Al Marjan Island, which will host the Middle East’s first casino. Through its partnership with RAKTA, WeRide is supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s vision for autonomous transport by enhancing first- and last-mile connectivity and assisting in the development of protocols and operational standards for the wider deployment of autonomous vehicles in the city.
- https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/weride-launches-autonomous-vehicle-pilot-in-ras-al-khaimah-93CH-4268048 – WeRide, a $2.94 billion market cap autonomous driving technology company, has begun pilot operations of its Robotaxi GXR and Robobus in Ras Al Khaimah, marking its expansion into a third emirate in the UAE. The pilot program, launched in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), integrates WeRide’s autonomous vehicles into the emirate’s public transport system. His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, was the first passenger to ride the WeRide Robobus on public roads. WeRide’s Robobus now operates across nine stops on Al Marjan Island, connecting hotels and resorts including the Mövenpick Resort, Hampton by Hilton, and Pullman Hotel. The company’s Robotaxi GXR is serving the city centre of Ras Al Khaimah. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026 as part of RAKTA’s public transport system. Passengers will be able to book rides via RAKTA’s digital mobility app. Initially, a safety officer will remain onboard, with fully driverless operations planned for a later phase pending regulatory approval. The initiative forms part of RAKTA’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, which aims to integrate multiple transport modes while advancing sustainability. WeRide and RAKTA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering technical solutions, operational support, and training.
- https://www.rakta.gov.ae/news/rakta-launches-pilot-phase-of-autonomous-vehicles-in-ras-al-khaimah/ – In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), in partnership with WeRide, launched the first pilot phase of autonomous buses (RoboBus) on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. This initiative is part of RAKTA’s strategy to enhance the integration of the transport ecosystem and adopt the latest smart and sustainable mobility solutions in line with global best practices. The pilot phase commenced on October 1, 2025, operating through key stations that connect hotels, resorts, and major landmarks across Al Marjan Island, with future plans to expand within the island in subsequent phases.
- https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/WeRide+launches+robotaxi+and+robobus+pilots+in+Ras+Al+Khaimah/25408873.html – WeRide has launched Robotaxi GXR and Robobus pilot operations in Ras Al Khaimah, marking its first deployment in the emirate and expansion into a third UAE market. The pilot integrates WeRide’s autonomous vehicles into Ras Al Khaimah’s public transport system. His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, became the first passenger to ride the Robobus on public roads. The Robobus operates across nine stops on Al Marjan Island, connecting hotels, resorts, and landmarks including the Mövenpick Resort, Hampton by Hilton, and Pullman Hotel. The Robotaxi GXR serves the city centre of Ras Al Khaimah. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026 as part of RAKTA’s public transport system. Passengers will be able to book Robotaxi rides and track Robobus locations through RAKTA’s digital mobility app. Services will initially include a safety officer onboard, with fully driverless operations planned for a later phase pending regulatory approval. WeRide and RAKTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering technical solutions, operational support, and training for autonomous vehicle deployment. The agreement was signed by H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi and Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International of WeRide.
- https://www.ainvest.com/news/weride-stock-plummets-competitor-spotlight-market-volatility-2504/ – WeRide’s stock performance has lagged its peers, having tanked over 27% year-to-date in sharp contrast to rival Pony AI’s over 60% returns. The stock further dipped last Friday following news that Beijing will require Chinese exporters of pure electric passenger vehicles to secure licenses beginning January 1, 2026, according to a joint statement from four government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce. This new policy tightens oversight of EV exports even as WeRide aggressively pursues global growth, evidenced by its recent securing of a Dubai permit for Robotaxi trials, a nearly $1 million win at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, and ambitious plans to scale its regional fleet from 50 Robotaxis to 1,000 by 2030, with fully driverless operations targeted for 2026.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 2, 2025. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yiming, and RAKTA Director General H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, WeRide Inc., a global leader in autonomous driving technology. The press release is published on GlobeNewswire, a trusted news distribution platform. The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) also provides official information on their website, confirming the partnership and pilot launch. ([globenewswire.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/02/3160172/0/en/WeRide-Launches-Robotaxi-and-Robobus-Pilots-in-Ras-Al-Khaimah-Expanding-Into-Third-UAE-Emirate.html?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the launch of Robotaxi GXR and Robobus pilot services in Ras Al Khaimah are plausible and align with previous announcements of WeRide’s expansion into the UAE. The involvement of high-ranking officials and the integration into Ras Al Khaimah’s public transport system support the credibility of the narrative. The narrative lacks excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim, and the tone is consistent with official communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. The quotes are unique and not found in earlier material. The source is reliable, originating from reputable organisations. The claims are plausible and supported by official information. No significant credibility risks were identified.
