WeRide to launch robotaxi pilot in Madrid with Uber

WeRide and Uber said on June 2 that they plan to launch Spain’s first commercial robotaxi pilot in the Madrid region later this year, extending their autonomous-vehicle partnership into Europe. AVOMO, a Moove Cars Group company, will support fleet operations in Madrid, according to statements published by Uber and WeRide. The companies said rides will be offered through the Uber app and that the service is being prepared with the Madrid regional government. The initial rollout will include trained vehicle operators before any broader move toward fully driverless service. ### Which companies are involved, and what is each one doing? WeRide, Uber and AVOMO are the three named partners in the Madrid plan. WeRide is providing the autonomous-driving technology, Uber is supplying the ride-hailing platform, and AVOMO will support transportation operations on the ground in Madrid, the companies said. AVOMO is also described by the companies as Uber’s autonomous-vehicle fleet operations partner in Atlanta and Austin in the United States. (investor.uber.com) Madrid’s regional government is also named in the announcement as a partner in the launch. Uber’s investor site said the pilot is being prepared “in collaboration with Madrid’s Regional Government,” while EL PAÍS reported the project has backing from the regional administration. (investor.uber.com) ### When will riders actually be able to book trips? The companies said public operations are expected to begin later in 2026. Uber and WeRide both said rides are expected to be available through the Uber app later this year, while EL PAÍS reported the launch is planned before the end of the year. The June 2 announcement did not give a specific start date or define the exact operating zone inside Madrid. (investor.uber.com) Regulatory timing remains a key condition. The companies said the service is expected to begin operations, but they did not say approvals were complete in the materials reviewed here. The user-facing launch therefore depends on the final steps required for public service in the Madrid region. (investor.uber.com) ### Will the first robotaxis be fully driverless? The first phase will not be fully driverless. Uber and WeRide said the initial fleet will include trained vehicle operators, with expansion tied to performance milestones and a later push into fully driverless commercial service across core urban areas. EL PAÍS reported the same phased approach, saying safety operators will be on board at the start. (investor.uber.com) The companies also said they expect the fleet to scale progressively. Their statements said WeRide, Uber and AVOMO are committed to adding hundreds of robotaxis as milestones are met, though they did not give a timetable for reaching that number. ### Why is Madrid important in WeRide and Uber’s expansion? (investor.uber.com) Madrid is the first joint European market entry for WeRide and Uber, according to both companies. WeRide said Spain is its fifth European market entry, and the Madrid launch marks the fourth of 15 cities covered by a previous WeRide-Uber agreement that runs through 2030. Under that broader agreement, the companies said they plan to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis on public roads globally. (investor.uber.com) The companies pointed to existing operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as precedent for the Madrid rollout. Their statements said Riyadh is expected to follow those Middle East deployments, and EL PAÍS said the companies cited that operating record as support for the Spanish launch. (investor.uber.com) ### What should riders and regulators watch next? Later in 2026 is the next concrete milestone. Uber and WeRide said the Madrid service is expected to open through the Uber app later this year, with trained operators in the first phase and expansion to additional vehicles tied to performance milestones. Any final launch details, including operating areas and start timing, are likely to come from the companies and the Madrid regional government as approvals are completed. (investor.uber.com)