Driverless Robotaxi Service Launches in Abu Dhabi - Uber & WeRide

Driverless Robotaxi Service Launches in Abu Dhabi

Following a year of operation with a human safety operator, the commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, a collaboration between Chinese autonomous vehicle technology firm WeRide and Uber, is now fully driverless.

This service is now accessible to the general public. Initial routes will operate on Yas Island, a prominent tourist destination and the location of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 race.

Operational Similarities and Rider Options

The robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi mirror Uber’s existing partnership with Waymo in Austin, Texas.

Uber users selecting either Uber Comfort or UberX within Abu Dhabi may be assigned a WeRide robotaxi. To maximize the likelihood of experiencing a fully autonomous ride, passengers can choose the “Autonomous” option directly within the Uber application.

Tawasul is collaborating with Uber and WeRide as a fleet operator for this initiative.

Regulatory Approval and Expansion Plans

This launch follows WeRide’s recent acquisition of a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates, authorizing fully driverless robotaxi commercial operations.

WeRide and Uber are actively planning to broaden the scope of driverless services to encompass further areas within Abu Dhabi’s central districts.

A Milestone in Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

“This fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi signifies a landmark achievement in transportation,” stated Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s head of autonomous mobility and delivery. “It represents the first deployment of driverless AV technology outside of the United States and China.”

Uber’s Expanding AV Partnerships

Over the past two years, Uber has established partnerships with 20 autonomous vehicle technology companies across the globe, including those in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

These collaborations extend beyond passenger transport to encompass applications like delivery and trucking. Recent partnerships include those with May Mobility (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Volkswagen, Momenta, Pony.ai, Baidu (all Chinese firms), and Nuro (San Francisco-based) for a premium robotaxi service utilizing Lucid Gravity SUVs.

Commercialization of Autonomous Technology

These agreements are now translating into tangible commercial services. The robotaxi service launched by Uber and Waymo in Austin earlier this year serves as a prime example.

Now, Uber’s expansion into the Middle East with WeRide in Abu Dhabi marks another significant step, with further city deployments anticipated, including Dubai.

Future Outlook and Scalability

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi projected during the company’s third-quarter earnings report that autonomous vehicle deployments will be active on the Uber network in at least 10 cities by the close of 2026.

Uber and WeRide have previously articulated plans for expansion into 15 cities throughout the Middle East and Europe, with the ultimate goal of operating a fleet of thousands of robotaxis. This would represent substantial growth for WeRide, which currently operates over 150 robotaxis in the region.