In a remarkable leap for autonomous vehicle technology, WeRide, in partnership with Uber, has officially launched a driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. This milestone marks the first time the commercial robotaxi service will operate without a human safety operator behind the wheel.
The driverless service is now available to the public, starting its operations on Yas Island, a popular tourist destination known for hosting events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 racing circuit. The move signifies a major advancement in the realm of self-driving technology, not just in the UAE but globally.
Passengers using Uber’s app in Abu Dhabi can opt for the Uber Comfort or UberX service, which could pair them with a WeRide robotaxi. There’s also an option to specifically select “Autonomous” for those keen on experiencing fully driverless rides. WeRide and Uber are collaborating closely with fleet operator partner Tawasul to enhance this experience.
Just a month prior, WeRide secured a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates government, enabling them to operate fully driverless robotaxi services. Plans are already in the works to expand these services further into Abu Dhabi’s bustling city center.
“Today’s fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi represents a historic transportation milestone, as it is the first driverless AV deployment outside of the U.S. or China,” remarked Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s head of autonomous mobility and delivery.
Uber has been actively pursuing partnerships across the globe to enhance its autonomous vehicle capabilities. Over the last two years, the company has established collaborations with 20 different autonomous vehicle technology firms, spanning the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
These partnerships extend beyond robotaxis. Uber is interested in a wide range of self-driving applications, including delivery and trucking. This year, it has also announced collaborations with various companies, such as May Mobility, Volkswagen, and several leading Chinese self-driving firms like Momenta, Pony.ai, and Baidu.
Exciting developments are taking shape within these partnerships, with Uber and Waymo previously launching a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Now, with WeRide, Uber continues its expansion into the Middle East, with future plans targeting cities like Dubai.
In a forward-looking statement, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed optimism during the company’s latest earnings report, forecasting that there would be autonomous vehicle deployments on the Uber network in at least 10 cities by the end of 2026.
Alongside their ambitious plans, Uber and WeRide aim to extend their driverless services to 15 cities throughout the Middle East and Europe, potentially growing their fleet to thousands of robotaxis. Currently, WeRide operates over 150 robotaxis in the region, but this expansion will be a significant leap for the company.
The launch of driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi is a significant milestone, not just for WeRide and Uber, but also for the global landscape of transportation. As technology continues to advance, other cities may soon follow suit, paving the way for smart, efficient, and safe mobility solutions.
