Uber and Chinese self-driving tech startup announce partnership to launch robotaxis in UAE, by Reuters

(Reuters) – Uber Technologies (NYSE: ) and WeRide announced a partnership on Wednesday to bring the Chinese self-driving technology company’s vehicles to the ride-sharing platform, starting in the United Arab Emirates.

WeRide’s first collaboration with a global transportation platform will help the company expand its reach beyond China, while Uber is taking another collaboration to incorporate robotaxis into its platform.

Uber expanded its partnership with Alphabet’s (NASDAQ: ) Waymo to bring robotaxis to Austin and Atlanta in the United States earlier this month.

In August, Uber partnered with General Motors’ (NYSE: ) robotaxi unit Cruise, which will offer its autonomous vehicles on the platform starting next year.

The ride-hailing company’s partnership with WeRide is set to launch in Abu Dhabi later this year.

WeRide has received the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, which allows the Chinese company to test and operate robotaxi on public roads across the country.

WeRide had been expected to list its shares in the United States, valuing the company at up to $5 billion, but its initial public offering was delayed and the firm said it was working on finalizing the paperwork to go ahead with the listing.

The Biden administration on Monday proposed bans that would prevent Chinese automakers from testing self-driving cars on U.S. roads and would extend to vehicle software and hardware made by other foreign adversaries of the U.S., including Russia.