One year after the launch of a driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company, and Uber have successfully introduced a fully autonomous commercial robotaxi service to the public. This service, operating without a human safety operator, will initially cover routes on Yas Island, known for hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 racing circuit.
The collaboration between WeRide and Uber marks a significant milestone in the transportation industry, with the commencement of driverless robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi mirroring Uber’s partnership with Waymo in Austin.
To enhance the rider experience, Uber users in Abu Dhabi can select Uber Comfort or UberX to potentially be matched with a WeRide robotaxi. Opting for the “Autonomous” feature on the Uber app increases the likelihood of being paired with a fully autonomous vehicle. Collaboration with fleet operator Tawasul further ensures seamless operations for these driverless services.
Following the acquisition of a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates, WeRide and Uber are poised to expand their driverless services beyond Yas Island to encompass additional areas within Abu Dhabi’s city center.
Acknowledging this groundbreaking achievement, Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s head of autonomous mobility and delivery, expressed, “Today’s fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi signifies a historic transportation milestone, marking the first driverless AV deployment outside of the U.S. or China.”
Uber’s strategic partnerships with 20 autonomous vehicle technology firms globally, including those in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, have paved the way for diverse self-driving applications ranging from robotaxis to delivery and trucking. Recent collaborations with renowned entities like May Mobility, Volkswagen, Momenta, Pony.ai, Baidu, and Nuro underscore Uber’s commitment to advancing autonomous mobility.
The successful implementation of robotaxi services in Austin by Uber and Waymo earlier this year has now been replicated in Abu Dhabi through the partnership with WeRide, with plans for further expansion into cities like Dubai on the horizon.
In Uber’s third-quarter earnings report, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi projected autonomous vehicle deployments in at least 10 cities on the Uber network by the end of 2026. The collaborative efforts of Uber and WeRide are geared towards establishing a presence in 15 cities across the Middle East and Europe, with a long-term vision of scaling up to thousands of robotaxis, signifying a significant leap for WeRide’s current fleet of over 150 robotaxis in the region.
