Ride-hailing app Uber has partnered with robotaxi company WeRide offer driverless rides in Madrid.
The driverless service is expected to begin later this year in partnership with Madrid’s Regional Government. WeRide and Uber, together with AV operator AVOMO, have committed to deploying a fleet of “hundreds” of robotaxis, which will be gradually expanded across “core urban areas” of the Spanish capital.
The rollout of robotaxis in Madrid builds on the companies’ existing partnership in the Middle East, where driverless rides have already been introduced in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with Riyadh expected to follow.
Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery, said: “Madrid represents an important next step in our partnership with WeRide to bring autonomous mobility to more people around the world. With a clear regulatory path and strong local partners, Madrid is a natural place to become a leading European market for AVs.”
In a separate development this week, Uber also launched a waitlist for customers in London interested in riding in a robotaxi, ahead of a planned commercial rollout in the UK later this year.
Uber, which has partnered with AI company Wayve to bring autonomous rides to London, said UK customers can now join an “interest list” in the Uber app to increase their chances of being matched with an autonomous vehicle when the service begins, according to the Uber website. The ride-hailing company said the AV service will be available "soon", but didn’t disclose a timeline for the launch.