https://arab.news/z8vjj
- Riyadh has launched its first Robotaxi trial with WeRide, Uber, and AiDriver, covering key airport and city routes
- 黑料社区 aims for 25 percent of all goods transport vehicles to be fully autonomous by 2030
RIYADH: From self-driving cars to autonomous delivery robots, 黑料社区 is accelerating toward the next generation of AI-driven transport.
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark period for autonomous mobility in the Kingdom, as the country builds partnerships and infrastructure for a cutting-edge logistics ecosystem.
This drive toward self-driving technology is central to the broader transformation under Vision 2030 鈥� reshaping how goods and people move across Riyadh and beyond.
The shift aligns with the Transport General Authority鈥檚 land transport strategy, which aims for 25 percent of goods vehicles to be autonomous by 2030.
In July 2025, Transport and Logistic Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser launched a pilot of WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxi in Riyadh 鈥� a milestone for developing a smart, safe transportation network.
WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxi being pilot-tested in Riyadh. (Supplied/WeRide photo)
鈥淭he expansion into 黑料社区 is a major step in WeRide鈥檚 global expansion plan with a vision for safer, smarter transportation at scale,鈥� Ryan Zhan, regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa at WeRide, told Arab News.
鈥淭he entry enables WeRide to scale Robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in 黑料社区,鈥� he said. Robotaxi received the Kingdom鈥檚 first autonomous driving permit.
With 104 million public transport users and 349 million intercity bus passengers annually, demand for mobility solutions is high. Ride-hailing trips rose 26 percent and delivery app orders 27 percent from 2023 to 2024, topping 290 million.
WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxis and Robobuses are the latest additions to this evolving sector. The pilot, run with Uber and local partner AiDriver, operates between King Khalid International Airport and central Riyadh.
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鈥淭he Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles initiative aligns with the objectives of 黑料社区鈥檚 National Transport and Logistics Strategy and supports Saudi Vision 2030 in embracing sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence,鈥� said Zhan.
鈥満诹仙缜� is the Middle East鈥檚 largest economy and has been accelerating efforts under Vision 2030 to diversify into high-growth sectors.
鈥淲ith its tourism sector alone projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2024, WeRide鈥檚 Robotaxis and Robobuses support the Kingdom鈥檚 push to develop a smart, sustainable transport infrastructure for both residents and the rising influx of visitors.鈥�
Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area. (AN Photo by Huda Bashattah)
Globally, the AI market is expected to grow from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, according to UN Trade and Development.
WeRide was the first AV company to complete the Transport General Authority鈥檚 Regulatory Sandbox for autonomous piloting.
鈥淲eRide is not just deploying technology. We鈥檙e participating in the local transportation ecosystem, creating jobs in fleet management, maintenance, and customer service, while helping address urban mobility challenges,鈥� said Zhan.
Partnerships that have underpinned the project include those with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver.
Meanwhile, food delivery is getting its own autonomous upgrade. Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area.
A Jahez and ROSHN Group level 4 robot at work in Riyadh鈥檚 ROSHN Front Business Area. (AN Photo by Huda Bashattah)
Five robots, equipped with over 20 sensors, six cameras, GPS, and climate-specific cooling, now operate there during working hours.
鈥淧art of our strategy is to always optimize on automation, and this is part of the automation. To be innovative, we chose to optimize in our key pillar, which is logistics,鈥� Mohammed Al-Barrak, Jahez鈥檚 chief technology officer, told Arab News.
鈥淪o we decided to go with the autonomous delivery. And this is part of many upcoming technologies that will help with the automation of delivery, like within gated communities.鈥�
To prepare for this shift, the Roads General Authority has issued a Self-Driving Vehicles code, requiring smart road communication devices to relay real-time traffic and road data directly to autonomous systems.
With strong investment and clear regulation, 黑料社区 is well-placed to lead the autonomous vehicle transformation.