Uber and Chinese autonomous driving specialist WeRide are launching a joint robotaxi service in Madrid later this year, positioning the Spanish capital as a key European hub for driverless mobility. The initiative will operate as a public commercial service through Uber's app, with passengers charged for rides, though safety drivers will remain on board during early operations. This partnership underscores a broader shift in how ride-hailing platforms are approaching autonomous vehicles, moving away from exclusive technology bets toward an open ecosystem model.

How Does Uber's Robotaxi Strategy Differ From Traditional Autonomous Vehicle Companies?

Unlike companies that build and operate their own fleets exclusively, Uber has adopted an open-platform approach similar to its driver-operated ride-hailing model. The company now partners with approximately 30 different autonomous vehicle companies and technology providers, rather than relying on a single in-house solution. This ecosystem strategy allows Uber to scale rapidly across multiple markets by leveraging different partners' strengths and regulatory relationships in each region.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized this approach during an investor call, stating that autonomous vehicles amplify Uber's core strengths: global scale, deep demand density, sophisticated marketplace technology, and decades of experience matching riders, drivers, and vehicles in real time. The company views autonomous mobility as unlocking a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity.

What Technology Will Power the Madrid Robotaxis?

The Madrid service will use WeRide's GXR model, a van introduced in October 2024 and based on the SuperVAN platform from Geely's commercial vehicle brand, Farizon. The vehicle is equipped with WeRide's Sensor Suite 5.6, which includes over 20 sensors designed to enable autonomous navigation in complex urban environments.

• Sensor Array: LiDAR sensors for 3D environmental mapping and obstacle detection
• Vision System: High-resolution dynamic cameras that provide real-time visual data of the surrounding environment
• Navigation: High-precision RTK inertial navigation system for accurate positioning and route planning

Uber and WeRide have already been jointly operating this vehicle in the United Arab Emirates since November, providing real-world validation of the technology before the Madrid expansion.

How Will the Madrid Service Operate Initially?

The companies have not yet disclosed the initial fleet size for Madrid, but confirmed that safety drivers will be on board during early operations. These drivers can intervene and take control from WeRide's AI system if necessary. The goal is to expand to hundreds of robotaxis over time, once key performance targets are met, including the ability to operate fully autonomous commercial services in central urban areas.

Fleet operations will be handled by Avomo, a company within the Spanish Moove Cars Group. This is an important distinction, as Avomo is separate from Moove, the Nigerian fleet operator that manages Waymo's robotaxis in Miami and Phoenix. Notably, Avomo already operates Waymo's robotaxi services in Atlanta and Austin, which run on the Uber platform, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the autonomous mobility ecosystem.

"Launching driverless robotaxis in Madrid, one of Europe's fastest-growing urban environments, demonstrates our ability to operate safely in complex real-world conditions. Spain is our fifth European market entry and further strengthens our position as a trusted robotaxi operator across the continent," said Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide.

Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide

Why Does Madrid Matter for European Autonomous Mobility?

Madrid represents a significant strategic choice for both companies. Spain offers a clear regulatory path for autonomous vehicle deployment, and the Spanish capital is one of Europe's fastest-growing urban centers. For WeRide, this is the company's fifth European market entry, signaling confidence in its technology's ability to operate across diverse regulatory and traffic environments. For Uber, Madrid joins a growing list of European cities where the company is establishing autonomous mobility services.

The Madrid launch also reflects Uber's broader investment strategy in autonomous driving. Since the beginning of 2025, Uber has announced investments and fleet procurement programs in autonomous driving totaling over ten billion US dollars. Recent partnerships include collaborations with Autobrains for a Munich robotaxi pilot, Lucid and Nuro, Verne and Pony.ai, Rivian, and Amazon's Zoox division.

"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 autonomous vehicles," said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery at Uber.

Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery at Uber

The Madrid initiative signals that the autonomous vehicle industry is moving beyond isolated pilots toward genuine commercial operations. By combining WeRide's proven autonomous technology, Uber's global mobility platform, and Avomo's local operational expertise, the partnership demonstrates how different players in the autonomous ecosystem can collaborate to accelerate deployment at scale. As more cities worldwide adopt robotaxi services, Madrid's launch will likely serve as a blueprint for how international autonomous mobility partnerships can navigate regulatory requirements and build public trust in driverless transportation.