Uber’s partnership with Chinese self-driving specialist WeRide began in December 2024, expanding to cover half of Abu Dhabi’s main urban districts in July 2025. Public commercial services have commenced on Yas Island using vehicles that received a federal permit in October 2025.

The robotaxi service is projected to reach breakeven unit economics according to the companies’ announcement, marking a significant milestone for autonomous vehicle technology adoption. The launch follows WeRide’s acquisition of a national license for all categories of self-driving vehicles in the UAE in 2023.

Uber and WeRide plan to scale up operations, aiming for several thousand robotaxis over the next few years. This expansion is part of their broader strategy to establish a strong presence in the Middle East’s rapidly growing autonomous vehicle market.

This initiative underscores the growing importance of autonomous vehicle technology in urban transportation solutions and sets a precedent for future deployments across the Middle East region.

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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.

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The introduction of these vehicles in Yas Island represents a significant milestone as it is the first such service to operate without human oversight in the Middle East region. Previously, Uber had been testing autonomous technology with safety operators on board since December 2023 in Abu Dhabi, and similarly in Riyadh earlier this year.

Riders can now book WeRide robotaxis through the Uber app by selecting the autonomous option when requesting an UberX or Uber Comfort ride. The service is currently limited to specific areas of Yas Island, with onboard support available via the app and a tablet inside the vehicle should any issues arise during the journey.

Uber’s bet on autonomous technology has seen it forge several strategic partnerships over recent years. In addition to WeRide, Uber also works closely with Waymo in the U.S., having launched robotaxi services through this collaboration earlier in 2023 and 2024. The company’s latest deal is a six-year agreement with Lucid and Nuro for further expansion of its autonomous fleet.

WeRide itself has been making strides in China, where it offers full driverless operations in Beijing and Guangzhou since last year. This partnership with Uber aims to bring similar technology to other global markets over the next five years, with plans to launch services in 15 additional cities across Europe and beyond.

Competitors such as Lyft have also embraced autonomous vehicle technology, recently announcing a deal with Waymo for robotaxi launches in Nashville. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that driverless cars are becoming an integral part of urban transportation solutions. This shift mirrors the transition from manual transmissions to automatics and subsequently to electric vehicles over the past decades.

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Revenue saw an incredible jump of 144.3% year-on-year to 170.9 million yuan—a record-high for the company, according to WeRide’s report. The surge is largely credited to increased sales of robotaxis and robobuses, alongside robust service revenue growth.

On the operational front, WeRide has made significant strides globally. The company boasts a fleet exceeding 1,600 autonomous vehicles, with nearly three-quarters being robotaxis. This massive fleet now holds licenses in eight countries following regulatory approvals in Abu Dhabi and Switzerland.

In an industry where money often dictates progress, WeRide’s financials are noteworthy because they aren’t just about the bottom line but also about tangible, global expansion. The company has launched public operations in Saudi Arabia and Belgium while road testing is underway in cities like Zurich and Singapore. This kind of international presence speaks to a broader strategic vision that goes beyond mere technological development.

The regulatory breakthroughs WeRide achieved are crucial. Securing the city-level fully driverless robotaxi commercial permit in Abu Dhabi, for instance, not only enhances its credibility but also positions it as a player capable of navigating complex international regulations. This is no small feat given how tough it is to break through bureaucratic walls.

What stands out is WeRide’s ability to generate revenue despite the inherent challenges and high costs associated with autonomous vehicle development. The company’s product revenue rose 428% year-on-year, a clear indication that there’s real demand in the market for these vehicles, especially in niches like robotaxis.

As an industry observer, it’s hard not to be excited about WeRide’s trajectory. While other players are still figuring out how to monetize their tech, WeRide is already showing significant progress both financially and operationally. This quarter’s results suggest that the company might soon find itself in a much stronger position to compete against giants like Tesla and Waymo.

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