Uber and WeRide have started using fully driverless vehicles in their robotaxi service in the United Arab Emirates.
People in Abu Dhabi who request an UberX or Uber Comfort ride may get matched with a completely autonomous WeRide vehicle, as long as their route falls inside the approved service area.
Uber and the Chinese self-driving company WeRide first introduced their robotaxi service in December 2024, but the cars still had safety drivers at that time. Both companies had planned to remove the safety drivers the following year, and that plan is now becoming a reality.
For now, the driverless vehicles operate only in selected parts of Yas Island, a 12-square-mile area known as a major tourist spot in Abu Dhabi. Uber and WeRide say they will expand the driverless zone over time. Riders who want a higher chance of getting an autonomous car can choose the “Autonomous” option inside the Uber app.
The robotaxi being used is WeRide’s GXR, which carries more than 20 sensors and cameras and can transport up to five people. The GXR is built on Geely’s Farizon SuperVan platform, the same one WeRide uses for its robotaxi service in Beijing. As part of the partnership, Uber manages the fleet operations together with Tawasul Transport. This includes cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and depot tasks. WeRide continues to handle testing and sensor calibration.
Uber and WeRide also plan to expand their robotaxi service to 15 more cities over the next five years, including some in Europe. Uber has been rapidly partnering with different autonomous vehicle companies as it aims to become a major hub for robotaxis and automated delivery services of all kinds—except Tesla for now.
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