Uber and WeRide have rolled out fully driverless robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi marking the first deployment of its kind outside the United States.
From now on, people in certain parts of Abu Dhabi can hail a robotaxi via Uber and ride without any human driver on board.
This isn’t just a test run it’s a full commercial rollout under a city-level driverless Robotaxi permit.
The service has begun on Yas Island, a well-known hub in Abu Dhabi.
Riders requesting services like UberX or Uber Comfort may now under qualifying conditions be matched with a robotaxi driven by WeRide’s autonomous‑driving system.
Uber has also introduced a new Autonomous option in its app, letting riders opt in for a better chance of getting a driverless ride.
The journey began when Uber and WeRide first launched robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 but those rides had human safety drivers on board.
Over time, their coverage expanded beyond just a few zones. By mid‑2025, services had reached areas like Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island.
In October 2025, WeRide secured a federal permit for fully driverless robotaxi commercial operations a regulatory milestone that cleared the path for today’s launch.
With the permit in hand and infrastructure prepared, Uber and WeRide officially activated driverless rides for the public.
This marks a major leap in smart mobility for Abu Dhabi residents and visitors can now hail a self‑driving taxi as easily as any conventional Uber ride, without human intervention.
By eliminating the need for a safety driver, robotaxis can scale more efficiently lowering costs and potentially offering more frequent, accessible rides. Uber itself has indicated that with this driverless launch, the service is on track to achieve “breakeven unit economics.
As the first city outside the U.S. to host fully autonomous taxis on Uber’s platform, Abu Dhabi becomes a pioneer in global urban mobility a signal that self-driving transport is rapidly shifting from concept to everyday reality.
Uber and WeRide plan to widen the robotaxi coverage beyond the initial Yas Island area. By the end of 2025, additional zones in Abu Dhabi’s city core are expected to be added.
Longer term, this could mean a network of hundreds or even thousands of driverless taxis quietly serving the city around the clock. WeRide aims to scale its Middle East operations significantly in the coming years.
For everyday riders, that could translate to more convenience, shorter waits, lower fares and a new kind of urban mobility experience.
For governments and city planners, it offers a glimpse into a future where traffic, safety, emissions and transport access are all reimagined through autonomous mobility systems.
The debut of fully driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi — delivered via the familiar Uber app — is more than just a tech headline. It’s a real shift in how people will move.
From futuristic concept to everyday ride, robotaxis are no longer science fiction. In Abu Dhabi today, they’re just a tap away.
The launch of Uber’s driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi signals more than just a new chapter in transportation it marks the beginning of a future where innovation becomes part of everyday life. By teaming up with WeRide, the city has taken a confident step toward safer, smarter and more efficient mobility. What once felt like a distant concept is now a practical reality that anyone can experience with a simple tap on their phone.
As the service expands across the emirate, it is set to reshape how residents commute, how visitors explore and how the region embraces cutting-edge technology. Abu Dhabi is not only adopting autonomous mobility; it is actively shaping its global identity as a leader in smart, progressive urban development.
For the people who ride these autonomous taxis, this isn’t just a technological upgrade — it’s a glimpse into tomorrow. And if the early milestones are anything to go by, the future of mobility in Abu Dhabi is not just promising; it’s already here, quietly driving itself forward.
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