WeRide and Uber set sights on bringing Robotaxi services to Zurich

(CONNECT) According to a statement, the Chinese technology supplier WeRide and the US taxi service provider Uber have drawn up plans to launch Robotaxi services in the Greater Zurich area. The two companies are keen to launch the service before the end of this year.

During the initial phase, it will be possible to book the autonomous taxis via the Uber app. Rydera AG, which was founded in May, is responsible for operating the vehicles.

Services will only start once approval from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has been secured. The FEDRO had previously given the green light in November 2025 for the use of autonomous WeRide vehicles operating in the Furttal valley as part of the “iamo” cantonal pilot project.

WeRide has already brought its autonomous vehicles to the roads of 40 cities in 12 countries around the world. In partnership with Uber, the Guangzhou-based company launched Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) in December 2024, followed by the start of services in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. After Madrid, Zurich is the second city in Europe where the two companies are planning to offer their autonomous taxi service.

Within the framework of their current partnership, the two companies are planning to launch Robotaxis in a total of 15 cities worldwide.

In this context, Europe reportedly constitutes a priority, as Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, explains in the statement. “Zurich’s status as a global business center and premium mobility market makes it an attractive city for Robotaxi commercialization as we scale autonomous mobility with Uber worldwide”.

Sarfaz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery, takes a similar view: “Switzerland is a key market for autonomous mobility, combining forward-thinking regulation with a demand for high-quality ride-hailing solutions”. ce/ug