Weride and Uber begin full driverless robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Weride and Uber have begun Level 4 driverless robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi after securing what they describe as the first city-level permit outside the United States for fully autonomous commercial services.
The move introduces Uber’s first dedicated autonomous ride category and marks the Middle East’s initial deployment of a driverless fleet on a major ride-hailing platform.
Commercial services started on Yas Island with no vehicle specialist on board. Passengers can book Weride vehicles through Uber Comfort or UberX, or select the new Autonomous option. The launch follows Weride’s federal approval in October 2025 to run driverless robotaxis and a subsequent operational licence issued by Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre in partnership with local fleet operator Tawasul.
The initial operating phase is a joint Weride and Tawasul deployment using more than 100 robotaxis already in the region. Both companies said continued utilisation gains and the latest regulatory clearances place the Abu Dhabi operation on a path toward breakeven unit economics. The partners are working with the ITC to expand coverage after earlier rollouts in Al Reem and Al Maryah, with further areas in the city core planned before the end of 2025.
Partnership secures first city-level permit outside the US for commercial Level 4 services
For the Middle East mobility sector, the service introduces a fully commercial Level 4 model at city scale, positioning Abu Dhabi as a regulatory test bed for autonomous transport. The ITC permit provides a framework for additional fleets to be introduced over time, supporting Weride and Uber’s ambition to scale to thousands of robotaxis across the region.
Weride has been active in Abu Dhabi since 2021 and secured a national licence in 2023 allowing testing and operation of all AV types on public roads, subject to emirate-level approvals. Its tie-up with Uber began in December 2024, creating what the companies' characterised as the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the US and China at the time. The service area widened in mid-2025 and is expected to grow again as authorities continue to assess performance and safety metrics.
The expansion places Abu Dhabi among a small group of regions enabling commercial driverless services. For Uber, the deployment is its first at full autonomy outside the United States, giving the platform a reference case for international scaling. For Weride, the operational footprint strengthens its regional first mover advantage as AV regulations take shape across Gulf markets.
