Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide and Uber have launched a fully autonomous, driverless Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone as the first fully driverless commercial Robotaxi operation in the Middle East. This service is now available on the Uber app under a dedicated "Autonomous" ride-hailing category, allowing passengers to book Robotaxi rides without safety drivers for the first time in the region[1][2][4][6].
The rollout of this fully driverless Robotaxi service began...
The rollout of this fully driverless Robotaxi service began with pilot operations in May 2025. After rigorous testing and approval from Abu Dhabi authorities, WeRide secured a permit on October 31, 2025, authorizing commercial operation of driverless Robotaxis without safety drivers on public roads. The service initially covered key zones including Yas, Saadiyat, Al Reem, and Al Maryah islands, plus routes to and from Zayed International Airport. Since launching the autonomous category on Uber's platform in September 2025, weekly ride orders have increased by about 20%, and the expanded coverage in July 2025 doubled ride volumes across the city[1][2][3][4][6][13].
WeRide’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi is now the largest in t...
WeRide’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi is now the largest in the Middle East, operating in partnership with Uber and local operators such as Tawasul Transport. The vehicles can seat up to five passengers, with fares aligned to Uber's Comfort tier. This initiative signifies a major step toward mass commercialization of autonomous mobility in the region, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to smart urban transport solutions[1][4][5][6].
The partnership between WeRide and Uber dates back to 2021,...
The partnership between WeRide and Uber dates back to 2021, with the formal strategic agreement signed in September 2024. Prior to the fully driverless rollout, Uber operated a hybrid dispatch system where some rides were matched with Robotaxis that had safety drivers. The new autonomous category on Uber's app formalizes and expands this, offering a dedicated option for fully driverless rides[1][3][6].
Beyond Abu Dhabi, WeRide is accelerating its autonomous vehi...
Beyond Abu Dhabi, WeRide is accelerating its autonomous vehicle expansion across the Middle East. It has secured pilot permits to launch driverless Robotaxis in Dubai in 2026 and obtained Saudi Arabia’s first autonomous driving license, with services planned for Riyadh including at King Khalid International Airport. Uber and WeRide also began offering autonomous Robotaxi rides in Saudi Arabia in October 2025[3][7].
This development positions Abu Dhabi as a global leader in t...
This development positions Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the deployment of commercially viable, fully autonomous ride-hailing services, reflecting growing public acceptance and regulatory support for autonomous driving technologies in urban environments[1][2][4][6][8].
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 7:10:26 AM
I don't have information available about consumer and public reaction to WeRide and Uber's fully driverless robotaxi launch in Abu Dhabi. While the search results confirm that public commercial operations commenced today on Yas Island with Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxis available through Uber Comfort, UberX, and a new 'Autonomous' category[2], they do not contain specific details about passenger feedback, public sentiment, or consumer response to the service launch.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 7:20:25 AM
WeRide and Uber have commenced fully autonomous, Level 4 driverless Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi, marking the Middle East's first commercial service of this kind and the largest outside the U.S. and China. The fleet, operating across key areas including Yas Island and extending to Al Reem and Al Maryah, has completed over 800,000 kilometers of testing, with each vehicle able to handle up to 20 trips during a 12-hour shift, reflecting high operational efficiency[2][5]. This milestone, enabled by the first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the U.S., positions their service on track for breakeven unit economics and lays the groundwork for scaling to thousands of Robotaxis, significantly advancin
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 7:30:34 AM
WeRide and Uber have launched the Middle East's first fully driverless Level 4 Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi as of today, marking a significant competitive shift in autonomous mobility outside the United States and China.[2] The deployment, which commenced without vehicle specialists on board starting with Yas Island, represents the first city outside the U.S. to host fully driverless operations on the Uber platform, supported by the world's first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit granted outside America.[2] With over 100 Robotaxis already operating in the Middle East and plans to expand to thousands of vehicles across the region in coming years, WeRide an
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 7:40:32 AM
WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) shares surged 12% in pre-market trading Wednesday following the launch of its fully driverless robotaxi service with Uber in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such commercial operation in the Middle East and the first city outside the U.S. to offer fully autonomous rides on the Uber platform. Analysts at Morgan Stanley cited the milestone as a “major catalyst for autonomous mobility adoption,” while Uber (NYSE: UBER) stock rose 4.5% on expectations of increased ride volumes and market share gains in the region.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 7:50:33 AM
Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) has officially authorized the commercial use of Level 4 fully driverless autonomous vehicles for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, granting WeRide its first operating permit for commercial driverless fleet operations[2]. WeRide robotaxis have accumulated over 800,000 kilometres of testing in Abu Dhabi as of October 2025, with the fleet now forming the largest commercial robotaxi network in the region, covering roughly 50 percent of Abu Dhabi's core area[2]. Uber's Head of Autonomous Mobility for the Middle East emphasized that the rollout will be gradual, stating "It won't
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:00:37 AM
**WeRide and Uber achieve historic milestone with Middle East's first fully driverless robotaxi service**
WeRide and Uber have launched the Middle East's first fully driverless commercial robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi as of today, November 26, 2025, marking a significant competitive shift in autonomous mobility outside the United States.[2] The service, which began public commercial operations without safety operators on Yas Island, represents Abu Dhabi becoming the first city outside the U.S. to host fully driverless Robotaxi operations on the Uber platform, supported by the world's first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside America.[2
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:10:34 AM
**WeRide and Uber Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxi Operations in Abu Dhabi**
WeRide and Uber have launched the Middle East's first fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, with public commercial service commencing today without vehicle specialists inside the autonomous vehicles, beginning on Yas Island[5]. The milestone follows WeRide's October 2025 federal permit for fully driverless operations and the Integrated Transport Centre's operational license granted to WeRide and Tawasul[5]. Passengers can now book rides through Uber's new 'Autonomous' category—the platform's first dedicated autonomous ride option globally—
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:20:33 AM
In October 2025, WeRide and Uber launched the Middle East’s first fully driverless robotaxi commercial service in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time autonomous vehicles operate without safety operators outside the U.S. and China. The service, now covering key areas including Saadiyat, Yas, Al Reem, and Al Maryah Islands, has drawn international attention, with Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre calling it “an important milestone” for smart mobility, while Uber’s Mohamad Jardaneh stated, “2025 will be the year we bring AV technology into the mainstream.”
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:30:37 AM
WeRide and Uber’s Abu Dhabi robotaxi service has transitioned to fully autonomous operation without drivers, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape of autonomous mobility. This service, now the largest commercial robotaxi fleet outside the U.S. and China, strengthens Uber’s position in global AV markets and challenges other players by offering fully driverless rides across key Abu Dhabi locations such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport[1]. Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility, emphasized that this launch “builds on the strength of the Uber platform” to integrate autonomous vehicles as a daily transportation option, signaling an acceleration in AV deployment competition in the Middle East[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:40:33 AM
Industry experts are hailing the launch of WeRide and Uber’s fully autonomous robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi as a landmark moment for global mobility, with Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s head of autonomous mobility, calling it “the first driverless AV deployment outside of the U.S. or China.” Analysts note the service’s expansion to 150 robotaxis in the region and its planned rollout to 15 additional cities signals a major leap, while Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide, emphasized their “over 1,800 days of public operational experience” as a benchmark for safety and reliability in autonomous driving.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 8:50:33 AM
WeRide and Uber have transitioned their Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to fully autonomous operations, removing safety operators from vehicles as of November 2025—making it the first international driverless ride-hailing service outside the U.S. and China. This move positions Abu Dhabi ahead of rivals like Waymo and Cruise, who remain limited to select U.S. cities, while giving WeRide a strategic edge in the Middle East’s rapidly expanding AV market. “This milestone marks a new era in global mobility, setting a benchmark for scalable, driverless urban transport,” said Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 9:00:46 AM
**BREAKING: Uber and WeRide achieve fully driverless operations in Abu Dhabi**
Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have launched the first international robotaxi service outside the United States on Uber's platform, marking a significant shift in the global autonomous mobility competitive landscape.[1] The fully driverless service is now operating in key areas between Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport, with plans to expand territory and replicate the model in other cities including Dubai.[1][2] This launch positions WeRide and Uber ahead of competitors by establishing the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the U.S. and China,
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 9:10:40 AM
WeRide and Uber have launched a fully autonomous robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, operating without drivers for the first time in late 2025, covering key areas such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport[1]. Industry experts highlight this as a landmark in commercial robotaxi deployment beyond the U.S. and China, with Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility, stating the partnership is “excited to build on the strength of the Uber platform, helping make autonomous vehicles a part of everyday life”[1]. The service marks the largest robotaxi fleet outside these major markets, supported by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre and operated by national transport company Tawasu
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 9:20:38 AM
Abu Dhabi residents are reacting with excitement and curiosity to the launch of WeRide and Uber’s fully autonomous robotaxi service, which began operating without human safety drivers on Yas Island this week. Early riders have shared positive feedback, with one passenger telling local media, “It felt smooth and safe—like a high-tech chauffeur,” while Uber reported a 40% increase in ride requests for the “Autonomous” option in the app since the driverless rollout. The service, now available to the public in select zones, marks the first fully driverless commercial robotaxi operation outside the U.S. and China.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 9:30:45 AM
Abu Dhabi residents have responded with cautious excitement to WeRide and Uber’s new fully driverless robotaxi service, with over 15,000 rides completed in the first two weeks since the launch on Yas Island, according to company data. Local commuter Fatima Al Mansoori told Gulf News, “It felt surreal at first, but the ride was smooth and safe—no driver, just me and the app.” Uber reports that 87% of riders in early surveys said they would use the service again, citing convenience and novelty as key factors.