The future of transportation has quietly arrived as Uber and autonomous vehicle specialist WeRide officially launched fully driverless robotaxi rides in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This marks a significant milestone for the Middle East, establishing the region as a key hub for advanced electric vehicle technology.
Passengers can now hail a ride through the Uber app and board an electric vehicle with no driver in the seat—completely unattended, without a safety operator or human supervision.
Using the Uber app is straightforward: after opening it, riders select standard ride options like UberX or Uber Comfort. If their route lies within the designated WeRide autonomous operating zone, they may be assigned a WeRide GXR robotaxi.
For those eager to experience the latest in autonomous technology, the app offers an "Autonomous" option that increases the chance of securing a fully driverless ride. These specialized electric vehicles are now seamlessly navigating the city streets, proving skeptics wrong as they blend into Abu Dhabi's advanced urban landscape.
The launch follows a rigorous development period that began with Uber and WeRide announcing their partnership in September 2024. Initial rides were conducted with safety operators on board to gather data and validate the technology’s readiness. Now, fully driverless operations have officially commenced.
This achievement represents a complex logistical operation: Uber manages fleet operations and rider support, ensuring seamless booking and drop-off experiences, while WeRide focuses on developing, testing, and managing the autonomous driving technology.
Maintaining a large fleet of electric vehicles requires extensive support. To meet these demands, Uber and WeRide partnered with Tawasul Transport, which handles vehicle cleaning, inspections, depot management, and the crucial task of charging the fleet to ensure 24/7 operation.
This groundbreaking deployment in the Middle East is just the beginning of a broader global strategy. Uber and WeRide have announced plans to expand their fully driverless robotaxi service to Dubai next.
Over the coming five years, the partners intend to roll out robotaxis in 15 additional cities worldwide, including several major European hubs. This ambitious expansion signals that autonomous electric taxis will soon become a familiar sight globally.
The introduction of robotaxis in Abu Dhabi is a landmark moment for the automotive industry, demonstrating the safety and reliability of autonomous technology and advancing its transition from experimental to real-world applications.
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