WeRide and Uber have launched a commercial robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, expanding autonomous ride-hailing coverage to about 70% of the emirate’s core urban areas as part of broader plans to scale operations across the Middle East.
The service, operated via the Uber app, connects major districts including Khalifa City, Masdar City and Rabdan, as well as routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The expansion was endorsed by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre.
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Riders can be matched with WeRide’s Robotaxi GXR vehicles through standard UberX or Uber Comfort bookings, while a dedicated “Autonomous” option is also available. UAE transport company Tawasul Transport operates the fleet locally. During the phased rollout, a vehicle specialist remains on board, although the companies previously launched fully driverless Level 4 commercial operations on Yas Island in November 2025.
The rollout significantly expands the partnership’s footprint since operations began in December 2024, with the fleet size having quadrupled over that period. WeRide said it now operates more than 200 robotaxis in the Middle East, maintaining an early lead in autonomous mobility deployment in Abu Dhabi.
The service area includes major tourist destinations and hotel districts along the Corniche, as well as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the region’s most visited landmarks. Officials say improved autonomous transport could support growing tourism demand, which has driven strong increases in international arrivals to the emirate.
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Looking ahead, WeRide and Uber said they plan to deploy at least 1,200 robotaxis across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh by 2027, signaling ambitions to establish one of the largest autonomous ride-hailing networks outside the United States and China.
WeRide has operated autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi since 2021 and in 2023 became the first company in the United Arab Emirates to receive a national license covering multiple types of self-driving vehicles, allowing testing and operations on public roads subject to local approvals.