Uber and WeRide Launch Driverless Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi

Just over a year after Uber announced its partnership with autonomous vehicle specialist WeRide, the companies have officially started offering driverless robotaxi rides to the public in Abu Dhabi. The journey began in September 2024 when both firms declared their intent to bring self-driving cars to the UAE.

Three months later, they launched supervised rides in Abu Dhabi with a safety operator on board, setting the stage for fully autonomous operations planned for early this year. Today marks the beginning of true driverless commercial robotaxi services without any human presence inside the vehicle.

Citizens and visitors in Abu Dhabi can now choose an UberX or Uber Comfort ride through the app, which could potentially match them with a WeRide GXR Robotaxi. To increase their chances of getting one of these driverless rides, users need to select the “Autonomous” option within the app.

Uber will manage fleet operations for WeRide vehicles in Abu Dhabi, handling rider support from start to finish. They have partnered with Tawasul Transport to ensure vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot management are all taken care of efficiently.

The partnership between Uber and WeRide isn’t just limited to the Middle East. The companies aim to expand their driverless services to 15 additional cities worldwide over the next five years, with some locations in Europe. This ambitious plan aims to bring autonomous driving technology closer to everyday users across different regions.

As families and individuals look for convenient travel options, these robotaxis offer a glimpse into the future of urban mobility. With no need for drivers or safety operators on board, the experience promises to be both efficient and cost-effective. For those in Abu Dhabi, this marks an exciting shift towards more automated transportation solutions.