His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Transport General Authority, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, inaugurated today in Riyadh the Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles. This milestone marks a significant step towards enabling advanced technologies and expanding the development of a smart and safe transportation ecosystem in the Kingdom. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and supports Saudi Vision 2030 in embracing sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide (third from right) and His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of the Transport General Authority (seventh from left), at the launch event
This project is the result of a collaborative partnership between the transport and logistics ecosystem and relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ecosystem, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). It also includes key private sector partners in technology and operations: Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver.
The autonomous vehicles will operate within a real-world environment covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations throughout Riyadh, including major highways and selected city center destinations. The phase is being implemented under the direct regulatory and technical supervision of the Transport General Authority. During this phase, the vehicles will transport passengers while maintaining a safety officer onboard to ensure public safety and monitor system performance in real conditions.
Saudi Arabian government officials experiencing WeRide's Robotaxi GXR
Jennifer Li with His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser
H.E. Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser emphasized that launching this initial operational phase embodies the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to build a smart and integrated transport system that supports economic growth and improves quality of life. He highlighted that enabling advanced technologies and developing regulatory and operational frameworks are central to the transformation underway in the sector. This initiative also contributes to promoting sustainability, enhancing mobility efficiency, and localizing innovation—serving as a model of successful public-private partnerships that shape the future of safe and intelligent mobility.