Qiming Venture Partners | WeRide Enters Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Launching Robotaxi and Robobus Trial Operations
This marks the formal integration of WeRide's autonomous vehicles into the local public transportation system, paving the way for larger-scale commercial deployment of the company's autonomous driving products in the UAE.
Recently, Qiming Venture Partners portfolio company WeRide (NASDAQ:WRD) announced a partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) — one of the seven emirates of the UAE — to officially launch trial operations of WeRide Robotaxi GXR and WeRide Robobus in Ras Al Khaimah. As the sole partner selected for Ras Al Khaimah's smart transportation strategy, WeRide achieved its first deployment in the emirate, marking the official integration of the company's autonomous vehicles into the local public transit system and paving the way for larger-scale commercialization of WeRide's autonomous products in the UAE.
As part of the trial operation plan, the WeRide Robobus officially began service today in Al Marjan Island (also known as "Mahjong Island"), a core tourism and residential zone in Ras Al Khaimah. The route features **9 stops connecting major hotels including the Mövenpick Resort, Hampton by Hilton, and Pullman Hotel, as well as leisure and entertainment facilities and tourist attractions. Service will later expand to Mina Island.
At the same time, WeRide Robotaxi GXR will also begin operating in downtown Ras Al Khaimah, bringing autonomous mobility services into the daily lives of local residents.
WeRide Robobus route on Al Marjan Island
As part of the local public transit system, commercial operations for both products are expected to officially launch in early 2026. Vehicles will initially carry safety operators, with fully unmanned operations to be gradually implemented in accordance with UAE law. Passengers can use the RAKTA app to check Robobus locations in real time and book Robotaxi rides.
This launch marks a significant milestone for RAKTA's Integrated Mobility Plan 2030. The plan aims to integrate multiple transportation modes into the existing mobility network while promoting urban sustainable development. As part of this initiative, RAKTA is developing a regulatory framework for autonomous mobility that aligns with international best practices, and building local capacity to oversee its implementation.
To further deepen the partnership, WeRide signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RAKTA during the launch ceremony, covering the provision of advanced autonomous driving technology solutions, operational support, and training to ensure the safe and efficient deployment of autonomous vehicles in Ras Al Khaimah. This memorandum lays the groundwork for broader commercial deployment of WeRide's autonomous vehicles across the emirate's transportation network in the future.
WeRide CFO and Head of International Li Xuan and RAKTA Chairman Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi sign the MoU
Ras Al Khaimah is currently accelerating the development of its tourism and entertainment industries. As the only company deploying autonomous vehicles locally, WeRide is deeply supporting the emirate's autonomous mobility vision by integrating its services into the public transit system, materially improving first-and-last-mile connectivity, and assisting in the development of operational standards and international reference benchmarks for city-scale autonomous vehicle deployment.
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Qiming Venture Partners was founded in 2006. The firm currently manages 11 USD funds and 7 RMB funds, with total assets under management reaching $9.5 billion. Since its inception, Qiming Venture Partners has focused on investing in outstanding early- and growth-stage companies in the Technology and Healthcare sectors.
To date, Qiming Venture Partners has invested in over 580 high-growth innovative companies, of which more than 210 have gone public on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Shanghai Stock Exchange, and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, or exited through M&A and other means. Over 80 portfolio companies have become recognized unicorns or super-unicorns.
Many Qiming Venture Partners portfolio companies have grown into the most influential companies in their respective fields, including Xiaomi (01810.HK), Meituan (03690.HK), Bilibili (NASDAQ:BILI, 09626.HK), Zhihu (NYSE:ZH, 02390.HK), Roborock (688169.SH), UBTECH (09880.HK), WeRide (NASDAQ:WRD), Insta360 (688775.SH), Unisound (09678.HK), Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (603087.SH), Tigermed (300347.SZ, 03347.HK), Zai Lab (NASDAQ:ZLAB, 09688.HK), CanSinoBIO (688185.SH, 06185.HK), Schrödinger (NASDAQ:SDGR), MicroPort EP MedTech (688617.SH), Sanyou Medical (688085.SH), Amoy Diagnostics (300685.SZ), Berry Genomics (000710.SZ), GenScript ProBio (688520.SH), Yuanxin Technology, Insilico Medicine, MediLink Therapeutics, LaNova Medicines, Zhipu AI, StepFun, Biren Technology, and others.