WeRide and Uber Technologies have launched Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, marking the first driverless deployment in the Middle East.
The city is also the first outside the United States to host fully driverless operations on the Uber platform, as well as the world’s first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the US.
Made possible through WeRide and Uber’s ongoing partnership with both the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) and fleet operator Tawasul, public operations officially began without a vehicle specialist on Yas Island today (26 November) following the securement of a federal permit in October.
The ITC has also granted WeRide and Tawasul the first operational license for a fully driverless commercial Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, with the initial phase set to be operated jointly by WeRide and Tawasul.
Commencement of operations supports WeRide and Uber’s overall plan to expand offerings within the Middle East, which is expected to scale to thousands of units over the coming years.
WeRide and Uber first launched their Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 before expanding in July 2025 to cover roughly half of the city’s core areas, including Al Reem and Al Maryah. By 2026, the companies plan to extend services to cover additional areas in Abu Dhabi.
