Chinese Robotaxi Firms Expand UAE Operations as Bilateral Tech Ties Deepen

Chinese autonomous driving firms WeRide, Baidu Apollo Go, and Momenta are expanding commercial robotaxi deployments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, according to the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce. These initiatives support Dubai's strategic objective to convert 25 percent of all mobility trips into driverless journeys.

Momenta announced plans to introduce commercial robotaxis in Dubai by 2027 and increase its global fleet to several thousand vehicles over the next 18 months. Concurrently, WeRide is scaling regional services via partnerships with Uber and Grab, while Baidu Apollo Go has deployed autonomous taxis on Dubai roads supported by a 2,000-square-metre operations control centre.

The commercial activities follow agreements signed during the eighth meeting of the UAE-China Joint Economic, Trade, and Technical Committee in Abu Dhabi, co-chaired by UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. Both sides signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the digital economy, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and smart transportation.

According to official data disclosed by Minister Bin Touq, more than 14,500 economic licenses have been issued to Chinese businesses in the UAE. China is the UAE's third-largest source of foreign direct investment at $6.3 billion, with total bilateral investment reaching $15 billion in 2022. Air connectivity includes over 210 monthly flights operated by UAE national carriers, serving an estimated 350,000 Chinese residents in the UAE.