Uber Launches First Driverless Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi With WeRide
Uber driverless robotaxi rides have officially launched in Abu Dhabi , marking the first fully autonomous service of its kind in the Middle East. This milestone reflects Uber’s growing commitment to driverless mobility expansion, powered by its strategic collaboration with WeRide autonomous vehicles. Users booking UberX or Uber Comfort can now be matched with a WeRide robotaxi, making the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service a major step forward in the future of autonomous ride-hailing.
The Uber driverless robotaxi launch in Abu Dhabi is Uber’s fourth market offering such rides. Previously, Uber rolled out similar services in Austin, Phoenix and Atlanta through its Uber autonomous partnership with Waymo . The tie-up with WeRide autonomous vehicles began in September 2024, and Abu Dhabi initially saw supervised autonomous rides in December before evolving into the full driverless mobility expansion now available to riders.
WeRide has been an important part of Uber’s wider ambitions for autonomous ride-hailing, extending beyond the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service. In October, Uber and WeRide introduced robotaxi rides with on-board safety operators in Riyadh. Uber has already announced plans to extend the Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide to 15 additional cities, including major European locations, as part of a long-term driverless mobility expansion strategy.
Beyond its partnership with WeRide, Uber continues to deepen its investment in autonomous ride-hailing through alliances with Waymo and electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid. The company also activated robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta earlier this year and launched them in Phoenix in late 2023. A six-year agreement with Nuro further strengthens Uber’s Uber autonomous partnership, marking another commitment to driverless mobility expansion.
WeRide, listed on Nasdaq, has a proven history in the autonomous space, having already launched fully driverless services in Beijing and Guangzhou. While the exact revenue-sharing model between Uber and its robotaxi partners remains undisclosed, the integration of WeRide autonomous vehicles into the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service showcases how seriously Uber is approaching autonomous ride-hailing.
Within Abu Dhabi, the Uber driverless robotaxi fleet will operate on Yas Island. Passengers who wish to try the fully autonomous option can increase their chances by selecting the dedicated setting in the app. Both in-app support and an in-vehicle tablet have been built into the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to ensure smooth rides and boost confidence in this new driverless mobility expansion.
The Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide marks a significant move toward bringing advanced mobility solutions to new regions. WeRide’s expertise in driverless tech aligns perfectly with Uber’s global ride-hailing network, forming a collaboration aimed at accelerating the global adoption of autonomous ride-hailing through services like the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service.
Uber’s expansion into the Middle East shows the global scale of its driverless mobility expansion strategy. By combining technologies from WeRide, Waymo and other partners, the company is assembling a diverse portfolio of capabilities. This collaborative model strengthens every Uber autonomous partnership and builds momentum for autonomous mobility worldwide.
For the UAE capital, the arrival of the Uber driverless robotaxi adds an innovative transportation option. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service enhances convenience for residents and tourists while positioning the region as an emerging hub for mobility innovation. This step also signals the rising demand for autonomous ride-hailing as part of the region’s long-term modernization goals.
Uber’s long-term vision includes integrating a wide range of autonomous vehicles into its platform. This could extend beyond ride-hailing into autonomous delivery solutions. These ambitions highlight why the driverless mobility expansion remains central to the Uber autonomous partnership projects across multiple continents.
The race to lead autonomous vehicle innovation is intense, with major competitors investing heavily. One rival recently announced a robotaxi agreement with Waymo for a launch in Nashville next year. Against this competitive backdrop, the Uber driverless robotaxi program and ongoing driverless mobility expansion with WeRide demonstrate Uber’s determination to stay at the forefront of autonomous ride-hailing.
WeRide’s robots in the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service include on-board support systems designed to help passengers throughout the journey. Enhancing user comfort and safety is essential for large-scale acceptance of WeRide autonomous vehicles, especially as the Uber autonomous partnership expands globally.
By partnering with specialized AV companies, Uber can focus on scaling its ride-hailing ecosystem while relying on partners for technological excellence. This phased global rollout allows Uber to gather insights, improve performance and continuously refine its driverless mobility expansion, with Abu Dhabi serving as a key proving ground for autonomous ride-hailing.
The Middle East is becoming a promising region for advanced transportation technologies. The Uber driverless robotaxi expansion taps into this momentum by offering the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to a tech-forward population. This move strengthens the Uber autonomous partnership while laying the groundwork for continued driverless mobility expansion in the region.
Seamless integration also plays a key role in the user experience. By allowing riders to book WeRide vehicles directly through the Uber app, the ab autonomous robotaxi service becomes accessible with a single tap. This simplicity reinforces the company’s vision of a user-friendly autonomous ride-hailing ecosystem supported by ongoing driverless mobility expansion.
The arrival of WeRide autonomous vehicles through the Uber driverless robotaxi program highlights the ongoing transformation of urban mobility. These advancements could reduce congestion, improve transport safety and redefine daily commuting habits. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service is one of the clearest signals yet that autonomous ride-hailing is shifting from concept to reality.
Uber’s trust in WeRide’s capabilities reflects a strong global strategy. With WeRide already running driverless services in China, the Uber autonomous partnership gains a stable technological backbone. This stability is essential for Uber’s broader driverless mobility expansion, which continues to evolve city by city.
Rolling out robotaxi programs gradually helps Uber and its partners gather essential operational data. This iterative method ensures higher safety and improved technology performance. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service is a crucial chapter in this progression and strengthens the growth of autonomous ride-hailing.
Autonomous vehicles are becoming more visible worldwide. Uber’s continued driverless mobility expansion across new markets signals accelerating momentum for commercial AV adoption. The Middle East, supported by the Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide, is now emerging as a leading region for autonomous ride-hailing.
The collaboration between Uber and WeRide fuses global reach with technological expertise. The Uber driverless robotaxi fleet combined with WeRide autonomous vehicles creates a powerful roadmap for future mobility. Together, they are shaping a new era of driverless mobility expansion, with the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service as one of the most significant early achievements.
The Uber driverless robotaxi launch in Abu Dhabi is Uber’s fourth market offering such rides. Previously, Uber rolled out similar services in Austin, Phoenix and Atlanta through its Uber autonomous partnership with Waymo . The tie-up with WeRide autonomous vehicles began in September 2024, and Abu Dhabi initially saw supervised autonomous rides in December before evolving into the full driverless mobility expansion now available to riders.
WeRide has been an important part of Uber’s wider ambitions for autonomous ride-hailing, extending beyond the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service. In October, Uber and WeRide introduced robotaxi rides with on-board safety operators in Riyadh. Uber has already announced plans to extend the Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide to 15 additional cities, including major European locations, as part of a long-term driverless mobility expansion strategy.
Beyond its partnership with WeRide, Uber continues to deepen its investment in autonomous ride-hailing through alliances with Waymo and electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid. The company also activated robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta earlier this year and launched them in Phoenix in late 2023. A six-year agreement with Nuro further strengthens Uber’s Uber autonomous partnership, marking another commitment to driverless mobility expansion.
WeRide, listed on Nasdaq, has a proven history in the autonomous space, having already launched fully driverless services in Beijing and Guangzhou. While the exact revenue-sharing model between Uber and its robotaxi partners remains undisclosed, the integration of WeRide autonomous vehicles into the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service showcases how seriously Uber is approaching autonomous ride-hailing.
Within Abu Dhabi, the Uber driverless robotaxi fleet will operate on Yas Island. Passengers who wish to try the fully autonomous option can increase their chances by selecting the dedicated setting in the app. Both in-app support and an in-vehicle tablet have been built into the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to ensure smooth rides and boost confidence in this new driverless mobility expansion.
The Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide marks a significant move toward bringing advanced mobility solutions to new regions. WeRide’s expertise in driverless tech aligns perfectly with Uber’s global ride-hailing network, forming a collaboration aimed at accelerating the global adoption of autonomous ride-hailing through services like the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service.
Uber’s expansion into the Middle East shows the global scale of its driverless mobility expansion strategy. By combining technologies from WeRide, Waymo and other partners, the company is assembling a diverse portfolio of capabilities. This collaborative model strengthens every Uber autonomous partnership and builds momentum for autonomous mobility worldwide.
For the UAE capital, the arrival of the Uber driverless robotaxi adds an innovative transportation option. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service enhances convenience for residents and tourists while positioning the region as an emerging hub for mobility innovation. This step also signals the rising demand for autonomous ride-hailing as part of the region’s long-term modernization goals.
Uber’s long-term vision includes integrating a wide range of autonomous vehicles into its platform. This could extend beyond ride-hailing into autonomous delivery solutions. These ambitions highlight why the driverless mobility expansion remains central to the Uber autonomous partnership projects across multiple continents.
The race to lead autonomous vehicle innovation is intense, with major competitors investing heavily. One rival recently announced a robotaxi agreement with Waymo for a launch in Nashville next year. Against this competitive backdrop, the Uber driverless robotaxi program and ongoing driverless mobility expansion with WeRide demonstrate Uber’s determination to stay at the forefront of autonomous ride-hailing.
WeRide’s robots in the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service include on-board support systems designed to help passengers throughout the journey. Enhancing user comfort and safety is essential for large-scale acceptance of WeRide autonomous vehicles, especially as the Uber autonomous partnership expands globally.
By partnering with specialized AV companies, Uber can focus on scaling its ride-hailing ecosystem while relying on partners for technological excellence. This phased global rollout allows Uber to gather insights, improve performance and continuously refine its driverless mobility expansion, with Abu Dhabi serving as a key proving ground for autonomous ride-hailing.
The Middle East is becoming a promising region for advanced transportation technologies. The Uber driverless robotaxi expansion taps into this momentum by offering the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to a tech-forward population. This move strengthens the Uber autonomous partnership while laying the groundwork for continued driverless mobility expansion in the region.
Seamless integration also plays a key role in the user experience. By allowing riders to book WeRide vehicles directly through the Uber app, the ab autonomous robotaxi service becomes accessible with a single tap. This simplicity reinforces the company’s vision of a user-friendly autonomous ride-hailing ecosystem supported by ongoing driverless mobility expansion.
The arrival of WeRide autonomous vehicles through the Uber driverless robotaxi program highlights the ongoing transformation of urban mobility. These advancements could reduce congestion, improve transport safety and redefine daily commuting habits. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service is one of the clearest signals yet that autonomous ride-hailing is shifting from concept to reality.
Uber’s trust in WeRide’s capabilities reflects a strong global strategy. With WeRide already running driverless services in China, the Uber autonomous partnership gains a stable technological backbone. This stability is essential for Uber’s broader driverless mobility expansion, which continues to evolve city by city.
Rolling out robotaxi programs gradually helps Uber and its partners gather essential operational data. This iterative method ensures higher safety and improved technology performance. The Abu Dhabi robotaxi service is a crucial chapter in this progression and strengthens the growth of autonomous ride-hailing.
Autonomous vehicles are becoming more visible worldwide. Uber’s continued driverless mobility expansion across new markets signals accelerating momentum for commercial AV adoption. The Middle East, supported by the Uber autonomous partnership with WeRide, is now emerging as a leading region for autonomous ride-hailing.
The collaboration between Uber and WeRide fuses global reach with technological expertise. The Uber driverless robotaxi fleet combined with WeRide autonomous vehicles creates a powerful roadmap for future mobility. Together, they are shaping a new era of driverless mobility expansion, with the Abu Dhabi robotaxi service as one of the most significant early achievements.
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