Uber Technologies, the ride-hailing giant, and Chinese autonomous vehicle tech company WeRide have launched a commercial driverless taxi service in Abu Dhabi.
The service which is currently on the Uber platform, will be available for trips on Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and routes to and from Zayed International Airport, with plans to expand the operating territory in the future.
For the launch phase, each autonomous vehicle will have a safety operator in the driver’s seat to ensure safety for riders and pedestrians.
Go deeper on GCC & Africa tech — $9.99/month.
Deep dives and investor insights the free digest doesn't cover.
The fully driverless service is “planned for later in 2025”, the companies said in a statement.
The launch is the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the US and China and the first time autonomous vehicles are available on the Uber platform outside of the US. In July last year, WeRide received preliminary approval for operating autonomous vehicles in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi has been operating a limited autonomous taxi service on Yas Island. Neighbouring Dubai has been trialling autonomous taxis, with plans to convert 25 percent of total transportation to autonomous by 2030.
Engagement
