Starlink, the satellite internet service established by Elon Musk, has received approval in Saudi Arabia. Musk envisions introducing Tesla's robotaxi and the Optimus robots to the country in the future.
In a significant move, Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, has announced a major expansion of his business ventures into Saudi Arabia. Musk expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to introduce Tesla's Robotaxi service in the kingdom, but no specific timeline or plans have been revealed yet.
Musk demonstrated Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, showcasing their potential to revolutionize global labor markets and contribute to economic growth. However, as of mid-2025, no information or plans about the deployment or introduction of Optimus robots in Saudi Arabia have been reported.
On the other hand, the Chinese autonomous driving technology firm, WeRide, has taken the lead in Saudi Arabia's robotaxi market. WeRide received Saudi Arabia’s first permit for robotaxi operations and has been piloting services in Riyadh with Uber and local partners since mid-2025. The company plans a full-scale commercial robotaxi launch in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025 and is expanding its autonomous vehicle services there, including robobuses and autonomous sanitation vehicles.
Musk also proposed that The Boring Company could help alleviate urban traffic congestion in Saudi Arabia by building underground transportation tunnels. These tunnels could create "warp tunnels" to efficiently connect city centers and reduce surface traffic, a concept that could potentially revolutionize transportation in the kingdom.
SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has been approved for aviation and maritime use in Saudi Arabia, a significant step in the country’s push for advanced digital infrastructure. Musk thanked Saudi officials for this approval, marking a positive relationship between the two entities.
In summary, while Tesla is not currently planning Robotaxi or Optimus humanoid robot introductions in Saudi Arabia, WeRide is leading the way in robotaxi deployment in the country. The future of technology in Saudi Arabia continues to be a fascinating and rapidly evolving landscape.
| Technology | Tesla Plans in Saudi Arabia | WeRide Status in Saudi Arabia | |---------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Robotaxi service | Expansion in U.S., no Saudi plans | Piloting since mid-2025 in Riyadh; full launch end of 2025 | | Optimus humanoid robots | No announced Saudi plans | Not applicable |
In the realm of technology, while Elon Musk has not unveiled any specific plans for introducing Robotaxi services or Optimus humanoid robots in Saudi Arabia, Chinese firm WeRide has already begun piloting robotaxi services in Riyadh and aims for a full-scale commercial launch by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the Saudi government has approved SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service for aviation and maritime use, a significant stride in advancements for the country's digital infrastructure.
