Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company WeRide and Uber have launched the Middle East’s first fully driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, now operating without any human safety drivers.
The service, initially launched in December 2024 with safety operators, is publicly available and covers key areas including Yas Island, Al Reem, Al Maryah, Saadiyat, and routes to Zayed International Airport. The fleet has tripled in size and completes dozens of trips daily, with an average journey length exceeding six kilometres.
Riders selecting Uber Comfort or UberX may be matched with a WeRide autonomous vehicle, and an “Autonomous” option in the Uber app increases the likelihood of a fully driverless ride. This deployment is modelled on Uber’s partnership with Waymo in Austin and is supported by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre and fleet operator Tawasul.
Safety remains paramount, with WeRide’s technology backed by over 1,800 days of public road testing and aligned with Uber’s strict safety standards. Uber’s autonomous vehicle efforts extend globally, partnering with 20 firms across multiple continents and expanding services to include delivery and freight.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi projects autonomous vehicle services will operate in at least ten cities worldwide by the end of 2026.
The WeRide-Uber collaboration intends to scale to 15 cities in the Middle East and Europe, targeting thousands of robotaxis and advancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in autonomous urban transport.