A year after launching a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company WeRide and partner Uber can finally call that service driverless.
The companies said the commercial robotaxi service, which will no longer have a human safety operator behind the wheel, is open to the public and will start with routes on Yas Island, a tourist district that is home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 racing circuit.
Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi will work similarly to Uber’s partnership with Waymo in Austin.
Uber riders that select Uber Comfort or UberX in Abu Dhabi may be matched with a WeRide robotaxi. Riders who want to increase their chances of being matched with a fully autonomous vehicle can select the “Autonomous” option in the Uber app. Uber and WeRide are also working with fleet operator partner Tawasul.
The launch comes a month after WeRide secured a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates to conduct fully driverless robotaxi commercial operations. WeRide and Uber plan to extend driverless services to cover additional areas in Abu Dhabi’s city center.
“Today’s fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi represents a historic transportation milestone, as the first driverless AV deployment outside of the U.S. or China,” Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s head of autonomous mobility and delivery, said in a statement.
Uber has spent the past two years locking up partnerships with 20 autonomous vehicle technology companies in various countries, including the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Those partnerships have expanded beyond the realm of robotaxis as well. Uber’s deals span the full range of self-driving applications, including delivery and trucking. This year alone, it announced partnerships with Ann Arbor, Michigan-based May Mobility and Volkswagen, Chinese self-driving firms Momenta, Pony.ai, and Baidu, as well as a recent deal to create a premium robotaxi service using Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with a self-driving system from San Francisco-based startup Nuro.
These deals are finally beginning to materialize into commercial services. For instance, Uber and Waymo launched a robotaxi service earlier this year in Austin. Now, Uber has expanded to the Middle East with WeRide in Abu Dhabi — with even more cities to come, including Dubai.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi forecast in the company’s third-quarter earnings report that there would be autonomous vehicle deployments on the Uber network in at least 10 cities by the end of 2026.
Uber and WeRide have previously shared plans to expand to 15 cities throughout the Middle East and Europe, eventually scaling to thousands of robotaxis. That would represent a massive leap for WeRide, which today has more than 150 robotaxis in the region.
Uber & WeRide Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi
The future of transportation has officially arrived in the UAE, as Uber and WeRide have launched a fully driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. This groundbreaking move makes the capital one of the first cities in the region to allow commercial autonomous taxis to operate without a human driver behind the wheel.
A Major Leap for Autonomous Mobility in the UAE
The driverless service is part of the UAE’s long-term vision to embrace next-generation smart mobility solutions. The launch marks a major milestone for Abu Dhabi, which has been investing heavily in autonomous vehicle infrastructure and AI-powered transportation systems.
Uber users can now book a robotaxi directly through the app, while WeRide’s advanced self-driving technology manages the driving, navigation, and safety systems entirely autonomously.
Advanced AI Technology Behind the Robotaxi
WeRide’s vehicles are equipped with an array of sensors, high-precision LiDAR scanners, radar systems, and AI-powered navigation software. These systems allow the robotaxi to:
- Detect and respond to traffic conditions in real time
- Navigate complex road layouts, roundabouts, and intersections
- Identify lane markings, road signs, and pedestrian movement
- Operate safely in mixed urban traffic
During the testing phase, the robotaxi demonstrated high levels of stability and reliability, handling various driving scenarios without human intervention.
Where the Robotaxi Operates in Abu Dhabi
The fully driverless fleet is currently operational in designated areas within Abu Dhabi, with plans for gradual expansion. These zones were selected due to their smart-city infrastructure, connectivity, and suitability for autonomous driving technology.
Passengers report that the rides feel smooth and remarkably predictable, with the robotaxi adjusting naturally to surrounding traffic, merging safely, and respecting all road rules.
Partnership Between Uber and WeRide
The collaboration combines Uber’s global ride-hailing ecosystem with WeRide’s cutting-edge autonomous driving technology. Together, they aim to provide safe, efficient, and futuristic mobility options that support the UAE’s strategy for sustainable and smart transportation.
This partnership also positions Abu Dhabi as a global leader in commercial autonomous taxi deployment, encouraging more innovation in the mobility sector.
What This Means for the Future of Transportation
The launch signals a future where driverless taxis could become a normal part of daily life. As the technology matures and regulations evolve, autonomous services may expand to more areas across the UAE and potentially other countries.
The move also highlights the UAE’s commitment to AI integration and smart-city development, showcasing its role as an early adopter of advanced transportation systems.
Conclusion
Uber and WeRide’s fully autonomous robotaxi service marks a historic advancement for Abu Dhabi and the broader region. With real road operations now underway, the UAE stands at the forefront of global innovation in driverless mobility.
The success of this rollout could pave the way for wider adoption of self-driving taxis, transforming how people move around cities and shaping the future of transportation in the years ahead.
