The international ride-hailing company Uber and China’s autonomous vehicle WeRide company team up to launch the driverless Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi.
WeRide, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, received the UAE’s first national license for self-driving cars in 2023, enabling it to test and operate these vehicles on public roads. Through this collaboration, Uber integrates WeRide’s robotaxi fleet into its app, offering customers an option to choose a self-driving vehicle.
The partnership aims to create a wide range of autonomous vehicles, making it an everyday ride for customers. The partnership allows the WeRide vehicles to be listed in Uber, which will be matched with Comfort and Uber X for qualifying trips.
Service Availability
Initially, the Robotaxi service will operate in key locations, including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and trips to and from Sheikh Zayed Road Airport. The service is expected to expand across the UAE, with plans for a fully driverless service by 2025. As Uber continues to develop its autonomous vehicle fleet, it is working to offer a seamless and safe experience for riders across the country.
Safety Comes First
Each vehicle will be equipped with a human safety operator in the driver’s seat to ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians.
Noah Zych, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery operations, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating, “Unlike a human driver, the autonomous vehicle is programmed to follow the traffic rules.” He added, “With the launch of autonomous mobility, we prioritize passenger and pedestrian safety through our vigorously validated technology, ensuring a secure and reliable experience.”
This move marks a significant step forward for Uber and the UAE in embracing autonomous technology, bringing the dream of driverless cars closer to reality. With the expansion of the service in the coming years, passengers in the UAE will soon have the option to enjoy a completely driverless ride, making Uber’s Robotaxi a game-changer in the transportation industry.
