To run self-driven cars on the roads of the country, UAE has now officially permeated and licenced WeRide Company, to operate different autonomous vehicles kinds on the road.

The permit has been issued officially to WeRide on July 3, Monday, 2023, through a UAE cabinet meeting conducted at Al Watan Palace located in Abu Dhabi, by the Ruler of Dubai City, Prime Minister, and Vice President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Ruler of Dubai said, “We also approved today, within the Council of Ministers, the first national license for self-driven vehicles on the country’s roads, which was granted to the specialized WeRide company.”

He also tweeted on his official Twitter account, “The company will begin testing all autonomous types of vehicles in the country, reflecting a change in the country’s future mobility patterns.”

WeRide is an automobile company headquartered in Guangzhou, China, based in different locations like Abu Dhabi and other cities. The company is known for their autonomous driving operations and research running over 26 different cities across the globe.

The company provides both software and hardware solutions required for successful Level-4 Self-drive Operation.

Level 4 driving refers to a fully autonomous driving experience. It is still possible to operate the vehicles at any time, but the vehicles are designed with cockpits that allow a human to operate them.

The products by WeRide include Robovans, which are getting used for the delivery process, Robotaxi, Robobuses, and Robosweepers. All the vehicles are capable of providing services 24 hours, even under difficult weather conditions. The services provided by WeRide are on-demand transportation, logistics, and online rides.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also added, “As the world rapidly evolves, so do our patterns of mobility. In the coming years, we anticipate significant changes in the way people live and move within the country. The well-being, comfort, and quality of life of our citizens and residents will remain top priority on our government’s agenda.”

Sheikh Mohammed further added and explained, “Today, in the Council of Ministers, we approved the national policy for electric vehicles, which includes building a national network for electric vehicle charging devices, regulating the electric vehicle market, and stimulating related industries to ensure reducing emissions, reducing energy consumption, and preserving the quality of roads that the UAE enjoys.”

He has also done an announcement on the acceptance of the federal public vehicle policy which has the main focus to build electric vehicle chargers for a national network that will ensure low emissions and less power consumption by the associated industries. This policy is to contribute more renewable power and reduce the total use by 20% by the transport sector in the upcoming seven years.

Sheikh Mohammed pointed out, “The world is changing rapidly,  leadership patterns are changing, and life in the country will change rapidly in the coming years… and the human being, his comfort, and quality of life will remain the permanent constant in our government agenda.”

On June 29, ITC, the Integrated Transport Center of Abu Dhabi, made an announcement for all the visitors of Sadiyaat and Yas Island Abu Dhabi to avail and enjoy the provided free ride services of the level-4 self-driven cars as an added service during the Eid Al Adha holidays. 

The Level-4 self-driven trial has been initially launched in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on November 2021 as a trial to ensure complete safety and secure travel time.