the Transport General Authority (TGA) of Saudi Arabia has signed a strategic partnership with Uber Technologies to introduce autonomous vehicle services in the Kingdom. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, with the agreement signed by TGA Acting President Dr Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser.
This collaboration signals a significant leap forward in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global leader in next-generation transportation, and aligns directly with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030.
Tourism as a driver for tech-enabled mobility
For Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector, autonomous vehicles could soon become a highly visible symbol of its transformation. With tourism numbers exceeding 116 million visits in 2024 and targets set at 150 million by 2030, the Kingdom is rapidly scaling up both infrastructure and visitor experiences.
Deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs) through a trusted platform like Uber adds a futuristic dimension to the visitor experience, particularly in urban centres and giga-project zones such as NEOM, Riyadh, and Diriyah. These AVs will not only offer seamless transport for residents and tourists alike but will also serve as a showcase of Saudi innovation for international audiences.
As in other leading destinations such as Abu Dhabi and soon Dubai—where Uber and autonomous driving partner WeRide have already launched pilot programmes—the Saudi initiative begins with AVs accompanied by onboard drivers for safety during initial deployment. This cautious and collaborative rollout reflects a commitment to both cutting-edge innovation and public confidence.
Global tech partnerships, local transformation
While the Saudi announcement does not yet name the specific autonomous technology provider, it closely mirrors the global strategic partnership between Uber and WeRide, announced earlier this month. That agreement involves deploying WeRide’s autonomous vehicles in 15 cities globally outside the US and China, including several in the Gulf region.
WeRide, a global leader in driverless technology and the first publicly listed robotaxi company, operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries and holds permits for autonomous operations in the UAE, France, Singapore, and the US. If WeRide is confirmed as Uber’s partner in Saudi Arabia—as is likely given the pattern in the region—the Kingdom would gain access to one of the most mature autonomous tech stacks currently available on the market.
“This partnership underscores our efforts to adopt modern technologies and smart mobility innovations,” said Dr Al-Rumaih. “Our collaboration with Uber will help shape a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, maintains the highest standards of safety, and accelerates our transport transformation agenda.”
Safety, scalability and future-ready infrastructure
According to the TGA, safety remains a top priority. The deployment of AVs in the Kingdom will be governed by a robust regulatory framework, developed in partnership with Uber and the relevant autonomous technology providers. This includes clear safety protocols, oversight during pilot phases, and alignment with international best practices.
Uber will handle fleet operations and continue to use its platform to connect users with AV rides, just as it does for conventional vehicles. The company’s operational expertise and scale will be instrumental in ensuring high standards of service and reliability, while the AV technology providers bring the hardware and AI systems to power the new fleets.
“This is one of the most ambitious and wide-reaching autonomous mobility partnerships ever announced,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO. “By combining Uber’s technology with the best autonomous platforms, we’re making this transformative vision a reality—starting right here in Saudi Arabia.”
Smart mobility for a smart Kingdom
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy positions mobility as a key pillar in its economic diversification and sustainability plans. From high-speed rail to smart airports and integrated public transport, the Kingdom is reimagining how people move. The integration of autonomous vehicles adds yet another dimension to this modernisation effort—reducing traffic congestion, lowering emissions, and enhancing accessibility for all.
As urbanisation accelerates and giga-projects reshape the national landscape, autonomous transport offers new potential to support Saudi Arabia’s smart city ambitions. In NEOM, for example, plans for The Line—a zero-carbon linear city with AI-integrated transport—are perfectly aligned with the adoption of AV technology.
For visitors arriving in the Kingdom in the years ahead, stepping into a driverless Uber may no longer be science fiction, but a reality that embodies Saudi Arabia’s forward-facing vision.
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