Ark Invest, Led by Cathie Wood, Invests $1.74 Million in Robotaxi Stock Amid Rapid Driverless Revolution
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 04 2025
0mins
Should l Buy WRD?
Source: Benzinga
Ark Invest's Acquisition of WeRide: Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, purchased 191,149 shares of WeRide Inc. for approximately $1.74 million, reflecting confidence in the company's advancements in the driverless vehicle sector.
WeRide's Robotaxi Expansion: WeRide has launched Level 4 fully driverless robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone as the first city in the Middle East to offer such services on the Uber platform.
Financial Performance: The rollout of WeRide's robotaxi services has resulted in increased revenues and reduced losses, showcasing the company's potential in the growing autonomous transportation market.
Other Notable Trades by Ark Invest: In addition to WeRide, Ark Invest made several other trades, including purchases of GeneDx Holdings and Shopify, while selling shares in Iridium Communications and Ibotta.
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Analyst Views on WRD
Wall Street analysts forecast WRD stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 7.460
Low
12.00
Averages
14.77
High
17.00
Current: 7.460
Low
12.00
Averages
14.77
High
17.00
About WRD
WeRide Inc is a holding company mainly engaged in the commercialization of autonomous driving technology. The Company mainly operates three businesses. The company sells autonomous driving vehicles, primarily including robobuses, robotaxis and robosweepers, and related sensor suites. The Company provides autonomous driving related operational and technical support services. The Company also offers other technology services, including advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) research and development services, and intelligent data services. The Company's autonomous driving products and solutions are available in multiple countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, France, Singapore and Japan.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Apple Court Victory: Apple secured a courtroom win as a jury rejected claims from Optis Wireless that it infringed on 4G wireless patents, a result that will help protect Apple's intellectual property and strengthen its market position.
- AI Industry Developments: Elon Musk criticized AI startup Anthropic for alleged bias while announcing a $30 billion funding round that pushed its valuation to $380 billion, highlighting the intense competition and rapid evolution within the AI sector.
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- Partnership to Enhance Experience: Uber's collaboration with Mazda aims to improve customer interactions at U.S. dealerships, potentially increasing efficiency and satisfaction, thereby enhancing Uber's competitiveness in non-traditional ride-hailing services.
- Technology Integration Strategy: By applying its technology platform to the automotive sector, Uber not only demonstrates its commitment to diversifying services but may also attract more users and partners, driving long-term growth.
- Launch of Robotaxi Service: Uber has launched its first robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, allowing users to match with WeRide GXR robotaxis via UberX or Uber Comfort, further expanding its service offerings.
- Market Trend Analysis: Despite Uber's stock declining by 11.51% amid a broader market downturn, analysts remain optimistic about its future financial performance, forecasting an EPS of 72 cents and revenue growth to $13.3 billion by 2026.
See More
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- Fleet Expansion Plan: WeRide aims to expand its global fleet to 2,000-3,000 vehicles by year-end, doubling from over 1,000 units in January, reflecting the company's ambition and strong market demand in the autonomous driving sector.
- AI Technology Utilization: The company has successfully reduced data collection and training costs by 75% through its in-house developed AI testing platform, which not only enhances operational efficiency but also paves the way for profitability.
- Simulator Enhances R&D: WeRide's AI simulator, Genesis, trains autonomous vehicles to handle complex real-world scenarios such as heavy traffic and extreme weather, ensuring safe responses in rare situations and further enhancing safety.
- R&D Spending Plans: Despite AI-driven cost savings, WeRide expects a slight increase in R&D spending in 2026 to support fleet expansion and technological advancements, indicating the company's commitment to long-term growth.
See More
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- First Robotaxi Service: WeRide and Uber have launched Abu Dhabi's first commercial robotaxi service in the city center, covering key landmarks including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, marking a significant milestone for the deployment of autonomous vehicles in the emirate.
- Expanded Service Coverage: This expansion now covers about 70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas, with the fleet growing fourfold since operations began in December 2024, significantly enhancing urban connectivity and supporting the UAE's smart mobility goals.
- Accelerated Strategic Partnership: WeRide and Uber announced in February 2026 a plan to deploy at least 1,200 robotaxis, making it one of the largest commercial autonomous mobility rollouts in the region, with completion targeted by 2027.
- Positive Market Reaction: WeRide shares rose 3.31% to $7.80 in premarket trading on Thursday, reflecting positive market sentiment towards its expansion plans in Abu Dhabi, while Uber shares also increased by 0.58% to $71.42.
See More
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- First Commercial Robotaxi Service: WeRide and Uber have launched the first commercial robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, marking the Emirate's inaugural deployment of autonomous vehicles in its central area, thereby enhancing the modernization of urban transportation.
- Expanded Service Coverage: The service now operates in approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi's main areas, including Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan, significantly improving travel convenience for residents and tourists alike.
- Fleet Size Growth: Since operations began in December 2024, the WeRide-Uber robotaxi fleet has quadrupled in size, indicating strong market demand and laying the groundwork for future expansion.
- Technological Collaboration and Innovation: The partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre not only showcases WeRide and Uber's technological prowess in autonomous driving but also introduces a new business model for smart transportation solutions in the Middle East.
See More
Abu Dhabi Launches First Commercial Robotaxi Service
- Service Expansion: WeRide and Uber have launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, covering approximately 70% of the core areas, significantly enhancing urban transport accessibility and convenience.
- Fleet Growth: Since starting operations in December 2024, WeRide's Robotaxi fleet has expanded to over 200 vehicles, with plans to scale to thousands in the coming years, further solidifying its leadership position in the Middle East market.
- Tourism Support: The new service connects major landmarks and hotels, expected to boost Abu Dhabi's tourism sector, with international visitors reaching 4.8 million in 2024, a 27% year-on-year increase.
- Technological Advantage: WeRide maintains a four-year first-mover advantage in Abu Dhabi, being the first to receive a national self-driving vehicle license, driving the realization of the smart mobility vision.
See More
