Uber has begun offering Level 4 autonomous rides in Abu Dhabi through a partnership with Chinese selfdriving specialist WeRide. 

The ride-hailing company has rolled out what it describes as the first commercial robotaxi service without a human driver in the Middle East. 

Passengers in Abu Dhabi can now book WeRide-operated vehicles via UberX and Uber Comfort, as well as a newly created “Autonomous” category.  

Uber said: “The launch was supported by the world’s first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the US.” 

Public commercial services have started on Yas Island, using WeRide robotaxis that received a federal permit in October 2025.  

The initial phase of operations is being run jointly by WeRide and fleet operator Tawasul on Uber’s platform.  

According to the announcement, the WeRide–Uber robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi are projected to reach breakeven unit economics. 

The launch is part of a wider plan by WeRide and Uber to grow their autonomous vehicle footprint in the Middle East, with an ambition to scale up to several thousand robotaxis over the next few years. 

WeRide has been active in Abu Dhabi since 2021.  

In 2023, it became the first company in the UAE to secure a national licence for all categories of selfdriving vehicles, allowing autonomous testing and operations on public roads across the country, subject to approvals from individual emirates. 

Uber and WeRide began their robotaxi ridehailing collaboration in Abu Dhabi in December 2024.  

The tieup was expanded in July 2025 to cover roughly half of Abu Dhabi’s main urban districts, including Al Reem and Al Maryah. 

By the end of this year, WeRide and Uber intend to extend coverage further within Abu Dhabi’s city core.  

WeRide currently operates more than 100 robotaxis across the Middle East.