In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), in partnership with WeRide, the global leader in autonomous driving technologies, launched the first pilot phase of autonomous buses (RoboBus) on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. This initiative is part of RAKTA’s strategy to enhance the integration of the transport ecosystem and adopt the latest smart and sustainable mobility solutions in line with global best practices.
The pilot phase commenced today, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, operating through key stations that connect hotels, resorts, and major landmarks across Al Marjan Island, with future plans to expand within the island in subsequent phases. Marking the importance of this achievement, His Highness Sheikh Saud participated in a trial ride aboard the autonomous bus, becoming the first to experience it on public roads in the Emirate. At the same time, RAKTA continues to conduct field trials of autonomous taxis (RoboTaxi) to determine the most suitable operational locations across the Emirate and to assess infrastructure readiness for these advanced technologies.
H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan AlBlooshi, Director General of RAKTA, emphasized that this milestone represents a significant step within RAKTA’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, which focuses on integration across various transport modes, sustainability, and quality of life. He added that RAKTA is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the autonomous mobility sector in line with international best practices, while also preparing qualified national talents capable of regulating this sector and ensuring its integration with the existing network. He noted that RAKTA’s strategic objective is to introduce autonomous vehicles as one of the smart mobility solutions in Ras Al Khaimah, reinforcing the Emirate’s position as a pioneer in this field.
WeRide is one of the world’s leading companies in the autonomous driving sector, operating in more than 30 cities across 10 countries. It is also the first publicly listed company in the global financial markets specializing in autonomous taxis. Through its multi-purpose platform, WeRide One, the company offers advanced driving technologies ranging from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy, serving diverse transport needs from urban mobility to logistics. In recognition of its global influence, WeRide was named to Fortune’s “The Future 50” list in 2024 as one of the most impactful companies worldwide in its sector.
The ceremony witnessed the signing of two strategic agreements. The first was between the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and WeRide, signed by H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan AlBlooshi, Director General of RAKTA, and Ms. Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide. The agreement aims to enhance smart transport services in the Emirate, including the provision of advanced technical solutions, technical support, and training to ensure optimal operations in line with the highest standards and in compliance with local and international regulations.
The second agreement was between RAKTA and Marjan, the master developer of freehold projects in Ras Al Khaimah, signed by H.E Eng. Abdulla Al Abdooli, CEO of Marjan. It focuses on strengthening cooperation in autonomous vehicle and smart transport projects on Al Marjan Island, with the aim of conducting practical trials and exchanging expertise.
The first agreement follows on from His Highness Sheikh Saud’s successful visit to WeRide’s headquarters in Guangzhou, the capital of China’s Guangdong Province, in November last year, and Ras Al Khaimah’s signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the Province during that visit.
This milestone underscores Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to establishing itself as a regional hub for smart mobility and sustainable tourism, supported by world-class partnerships, advanced national legislation, and a comprehensive development vision that places people and sustainability at the heart of its journey toward the future.
