WeRide Inc. and Uber Technologies announced a significant expansion of their downtown Abu Dhabi robotaxi service, extending coverage to roughly 70% of the emirate’s core areas and quadrupling the fleet since the December 2024 launch. The updated service now operates with more than 200 robotaxis across the Middle East, a clear indicator of the partnership’s rapid scaling momentum.
The expanded network serves key districts—including Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan—and runs routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Riders can book rides through the Uber app using the existing UberX or Uber Comfort options, or by selecting a dedicated “Autonomous” option that routes them to the robotaxi fleet.
The service remains a Level 4 operation, with a vehicle specialist on board as part of a phased approach toward fully driverless service. This milestone follows WeRide’s earlier achievements: a city‑level fully driverless permit granted in October 2025 and the launch of Level 4 fully driverless commercial operations on Yas Island in November 2025. The partnership’s first‑mover advantage and regulatory successes underscore its leadership in autonomous mobility.
Strategically, the expansion aligns with the UAE’s smart‑mobility vision and the emirate’s growing tourism sector, which drives demand for convenient transportation. Tawasul Transport, a UAE national transport company, manages the fleet operations on the Uber platform. WeRide has also committed to deploying 1,200 robotaxis across the Middle East by 2027, spanning Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, positioning the company for broader regional growth.
"Today's announcement marks the largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region. Supported by our existing fleet, bold regulators, and partners like Uber who share our ambition for safe and convenient mobility, this commitment accelerates our regional expansion and is a key part of our vision of tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally in the next five years," said Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide. "This expansion with WeRide is an exciting moment for Uber and the Middle East. It is a testament to the strong performance of our existing deployments together, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we introduce more riders to autonomous mobility," added Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.
The announcement was well received by investors, reflecting confidence in the expansion and the partnership’s continued progress toward a fully driverless future.
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