WeRide and Uber launch pure driverless Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi
On November 26, 2025, autonomous driving company WeRide, in partnership with Uber, officially launched a fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operation in Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time such a service has been deployed in the Middle East, and Abu Dhabi becomes the first city outside the United States to offer pure driverless rides on the Uber platform.
The launch follows the issuance of the world's first city-level license for pure driverless operations outside the U.S., granted by the Abu Dhabi Integrated Transportation Center (ITC). The service is available to the public on Yas Island through UberX, Uber Comfort, and a new autonomous driving option.
WeRide has maintained a four-year lead in autonomous vehicle deployment in Abu Dhabi, operating Robotaxis since 2021. In 2023, it became the first tech company in the UAE to receive a national license for all autonomous vehicle models, allowing testing and operations across public roads nationwide.
In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched the region's largest Robotaxi service. By July 2025, coverage expanded to nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core urban areas, including Al Reem and Al Maryah. The companies plan to extend service to more districts by the end of 2025.
Currently, WeRide operates a fleet of around 150 autonomous vehicles in the Middle East. In October 2025, it received a federal license for pure driverless commercial operations, followed by Abu Dhabi's first city-level license for such services. Initial operations are jointly managed by WeRide and Tawasul on the Uber platform.
With the launch of fully driverless operations, new licenses, and rising vehicle utilization, WeRide and Uber expect the Robotaxi service to reach breakeven per vehicle. The companies aim to scale the fleet to thousands of vehicles in the coming years and tens of thousands by 2030.
WeRide is a Chinese autonomous driving technology company headquartered in Guangzhou. It specializes in Level 4 driverless solutions and has expanded operations to the Middle East through partnerships with Uber and local authorities. Uber Technologies Inc., based in San Francisco, is a global ride-hailing and mobility platform. The Robotaxi vehicles used in Abu Dhabi are electric, equipped with lidar and multi-sensor fusion systems, and measure approximately 4.8 meters (15.7 feet) in length. Operational costs are reported in Chinese yuan (CNY) and converted to U.S. dollars (USD), with per-vehicle deployment estimated at ¥1.2 million (about $165,000 USD).
