Uber and WeRide launch the first autonomous robotaxis in Abu Dhabi

Uber, together with the Chinese company WeRide, has officially launched a driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. Passengers can now order a taxi through the Uber app and select the Autonomous option to receive a fully autonomous vehicle. The service is available on Yas Island, a popular tourist area that is home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 circuit.

This marks the first commercial deployment of fully autonomous robotaxis by Uber and WeRide in the Middle East region and the first outside the United States and China. Testing of such vehicles had previously taken place in Abu Dhabi since 2021, and the companies began their commercial collaboration in December 2024. This new phase of the launch allows the service to operate without a safety driver present inside the vehicle.

To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, WeRide obtained city-level authorization for the commercial operation of autonomous robotaxis. The project is supported by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre, and the fleet is operated by Tawasul Transport.

According to Uber representatives, the introduction of fully autonomous robotaxis represents a significant step forward in urban mobility and autonomous vehicle technology. Passengers now have an alternative to traditional taxis and the opportunity to use this innovative service on tourist routes and in popular areas of the city.

Source: TechCrunch