WeRide Showcases Autonomous Driving Technology to High-Level UAE Delegation

On November 21, 2024, WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), the leading global commercial-stage company developing autonomous driving technologies from Level 2 to Level 4, welcomed a high-level delegation from the government and business sectors of the United Arab Emirates to its Guangzhou headquarters. The delegation included His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who was accompanied by H.E. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador to China, and H.E. Mariam Alshamsi, UAE Consul General in Guangzhou, and Hongjie Qian, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

(Right: H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; left: Hua Zhong, Senior Vice President of WeRide)

Hua Zhong, Senior Vice President of WeRide, warmly welcomed the delegation and engaged in in-depth discussions on the company's technological advancements and international deployment in the autonomous driving sector. This visit coincided with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, fostering deeper bilateral ties and promoting the broader adoption of autonomous driving technology in the Middle East. The delegation experienced WeRide's Robobus, and examined other products, including the Robotaxi, Robosweeper, and Robovan. H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi and the delegation praised the maturity and stability of WeRide's autonomous driving technologies.

(H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and the delegation team experiencing WeRide Robobus)

During subsequent discussions, WeRide and the UAE delegation explored the current state of autonomous driving in the UAE, the transition to intelligent transportation, and sustainable development goals. WeRide highlighted its international achievements, particularly in the UAE market. Since 2021, WeRide has partnered with Bayanat to launch the largest publicly operated Robotaxi fleet in the Middle East. In July 2023, WeRide received the world's first national-level autonomous driving license from the UAE, granted by the UAE Prime Minister, allowing its products to operate on public roads across the UAE. In September, WeRide announced a strategic partnership with Uber, with the first autonomous vehicles set to launch on the Uber platform in Abu Dhabi by year-end.

(WeRide and the UAE delegation in discussion)

WeRide and the UAE delegation reached a consensus regarding cooperation on product deployment, platform development, talent empowerment, ecosystem enhancement, and localized manufacturing. WeRide aims to help Ras Al Khaimah develop into a safer, more efficient, intelligent, and environmentally friendly emirate through city-level end-to-end autonomous driving solutions. The delegation expressed confidence in WeRide's capabilities and extended an invitation for further collaboration to explore innovative opportunities in the Middle East.

(H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (right) and Hua Zhong, Senior Vice President of WeRide (left) in discussion)

As the world's first publicly listed Robotaxi company, WeRide continues to drive industry innovation and deepen its engagement with the Middle East, advancing the commercialization of autonomous driving technology.