Uber debuts driverless taxis in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has become the first city in the Middle East to offer fully driverless robotaxi services, operated by WeRide in partnership with Uber. Commercial operations commenced on 26 November 2025, with the first phase rolling out on Yas Island. 

Featuring Level-4 autonomous technology, the robotaxis run without a human driver onboard. Passengers can book rides via a new ‘autonomous’ category on the Uber app, marking the ride-share platform’s first global integration of self-driving rides. Robotaxi matches may also be made for trips booked through Uber Comfort or UberX. 

With this launch, Abu Dhabi is the only city outside the US to host fully driverless vehicles on Uber’s platform. 

It supports the UAE’s strategy to advance autonomous mobility, which also includes plans to introduce aerial taxis in Dubai by 2026. The service was recently tested during the 2025 Dubai Airshow, marking the country’s first-ever point-to-point air taxi flight.

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WeRide first began operating robotaxis in the UAE capital in 2021, later securing the UAE’s first national licence for all types of autonomous vehicles in 2023. The company’s collaboration with Uber in 2024 marked the start of the largest commercial robotaxi initiative outside the US and China. 

Beyond Abu Dhabi, WeRide and Uber are conducting pilot programmes in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The partners are also exploring expansion into other Gulf markets, including Saudi Arabia. WeRide’s Middle East fleet currently exceeds 100 robotaxis, with plans to scale operations into the thousands in the coming years.

For more information, visit uber.com