[AutonomousVehicles] Uber Bringing Driverless Rides to the Middle East

[Cornelius Butler]

WeRide and Uber Launch Middle East’s First Fully Driverless Robotaxi
Commercial Operations in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Article LInk:
https://www.uber.com/en-AE/newsroom/uber-weride-fullydriverless-abudhabi/

Article Text:
Press Release:
United Arab Emirates | Nov 26, 2025

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800.HK), a global leader in autonomous driving
technology, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), today announced the
launch of Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu
Dhabi. This marks the first driverless deployment in the Middle East, as
well as the first city outside the United States to host fully driverless
operations on the Uber platform. The launch was supported by the world’s
first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the U.S.

This milestone represents a major step toward the large-scale deployment of
self-driving mobility solutions in the UAE, made possible through WeRide
and Uber’s continued partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)
and fleet operator Tawasul.

Public commercial operations commenced today without a vehicle specialist
inside the AV, starting with Yas Island. Passengers can now be matched with
a WeRide Robotaxi through Uber Comfort or UberX, and can also book a WeRide
Robotaxi through the new “Autonomous” category, Uber’s first dedicated
autonomous ride option globally. In October 2025, WeRide’s Robotaxi secured
a federal permit to conduct fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations.

Following this, the ITC granted WeRide and Tawasul the first operational
license for a fully driverless commercial Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi.
The initial phase will be operated jointly by WeRide and Tawasul on the
Uber platform.

With the fully driverless commercial launch, latest permit, and ongoing
improvements in vehicle utilization, the WeRide-Uber Robotaxi services in
Abu Dhabi are on track to achieve breakeven unit economics.

This milestone supports WeRide and Uber’s broader plan to expand their
Middle East operations, scaling to thousands of Robotaxis over the coming
years.

WeRide maintains a 4-year first mover advantage in autonomous vehicle
deployment in Abu Dhabi, having operated Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi since 2021.
In 2023, it became the first company in the UAE to receive a national
license covering all types of self-driving vehicles, authorizing autonomous
testing and operation on public roads across the country, subject to
emirate-level approvals.

In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched their Robotaxi ride-hailing
partnership in Abu Dhabi – the largest commercial Robotaxi service outside
the U.S. and China. The partnership expanded in July 2025 to cover about
half of Abu Dhabi’s core areas, including Al Reem and Al Maryah. By the end
of 2025, WeRide and Uber plan to extend services to cover additional areas
in Abu Dhabi city core. WeRide currently has over 100 Robotaxis in the
Middle East.
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