Uber has rolled out its first fully driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, marking a landmark moment for the global ride-hailing industry and the Middle East’s transport landscape. The UAE capital now becomes Uber’s fourth autonomous vehicle market after Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta, and the first in the region to host Level 4 autonomous rides.
The debut stems from Uber’s strategic collaboration with WeRide, the Chinese autonomous driving firm listed on Nasdaq. Under the partnership, WeRide provides the self-driving technology while Uber integrates the robotaxis into its established platform. Residents and visitors can now request a driverless WeRide vehicle directly through the Uber app by selecting UberX or Uber Comfort.
The initial phase covers public roads on Yas Island, offering passengers their first experience of hands-free, fully autonomous travel in the Middle East. The launch builds on earlier deployments by Uber and WeRide, which previously tested self-driving vehicles with human safety operators in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Moving to a fully driverless service signals a shift from controlled trials to commercial-scale operations.
The collaboration is set to expand significantly. Both companies plan to introduce WeRide-powered robotaxis to 15 additional cities globally, including several in Europe, as part of a five-year growth plan. Abu Dhabi therefore serves as the starting point for the wider expansion of Uber’s autonomous fleet strategy.
Uber’s approach to self-driving technology focuses on partnerships rather than in-house development. The company wound down its internal autonomous division several years ago and has since prioritised integrating proven technologies from leading players in the sector.
In the United States, Uber’s partnership with Waymo—Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit—already allows users to book driverless rides in Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. Uber has also agreed a six-year robotaxi deal with luxury EV brand Lucid, alongside arrangements with Nuro for autonomous deliveries. By collaborating with specialist partners, Uber can accelerate deployment while avoiding the high costs and complexities of running its own development programmes.
The integration of WeRide’s robotaxi fleet into the Uber app marks another step in building a global, multi-continent autonomous ride-hailing network. The Abu Dhabi launch exemplifies how this partner-led model enables Uber to introduce fully driverless mobility in new markets with speed and efficiency.
Abu Dhabi’s early adoption of autonomous transport highlights the region’s increasing commitment to AI-driven innovation. Strong regulatory support has been central to enabling safe deployment on public roads, positioning the UAE as a frontrunner in smart mobility.
As the service expands across additional districts in Abu Dhabi, the city is poised to become an international benchmark for commercial autonomous transport at scale. This launch represents more than just a technological achievement—it offers a glimpse into the future of ride-hailing, urban mobility, and AI-powered transportation worldwide.
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