Driverless WeRide Robotaxis lined up ahead of commercial launch in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi has become the first city in the Middle East — and the first city outside the United States — to introduce Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi services on the Uber platform.
Autonomous driving leader WeRide and Uber Technologies on Wednesday, November 26, launched commercial operations, marking a major milestone for the UAE’s smart mobility ambitions.
The launch follows the issuance of the world’s first city-level permit for fully driverless Robotaxis outside the US, granted to WeRide. The approval paves the way for broader deployment of autonomous vehicles in the emirate.
Passengers on Yas Island can now book a WeRide Robotaxi through:
These vehicles operate with no on-board specialist.
The launch follows:
WeRide and Uber say the Abu Dhabi deployment advances their broader plan to scale autonomous mobility across the Middle East. With regulatory support and improving vehicle utilisation, the service is progressing toward breakeven performance.
WeRide has a four-year first-mover advantage, having operated Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi since 2021. In 2023, it became the first company to obtain a national licence authorising autonomous testing and operation on public roads throughout the UAE.
The WeRide–Uber partnership, launched in December 2024, is the largest commercial Robotaxi network outside the US and China. Key phases include:
WeRide currently operates more than 100 Robotaxis in the Middle East.
This post was last modified on November 26, 2025 7:53 pm