In a landmark move for smart transportation in the region, WeRide has officially launched the first fully driverless robotaxi trials in the Middle East, deploying a fleet of autonomous vehicles across Abu Dhabi without a human safety driver on board. The initiative marks a major step in transforming the UAE’s urban mobility ecosystem and reflects growing confidence in artificial intelligence-powered transport.
The fully autonomous pilot, scheduled to begin this quarter, will expand WeRide’s existing network and introduce commercial robotaxi coverage to Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, alongside its established services in Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport.
Regional Milestone in Autonomous Transport
WeRide’s new phase of testing comes just two years after the company became the first to obtain the UAE’s national self-driving vehicle licence in July 2023, permitting autonomous testing and deployment on public roads nationwide.
Now, with vehicles operating in fully driverless mode, Abu Dhabi becomes the latest global city—alongside early adopters like San Francisco and Shenzhen—to embrace real-world testing of advanced robotaxi technologies in high-density urban areas.
“WeRide makes history as the first company to pilot fully driverless robotaxis in the Middle East region, showcasing our autonomous leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments,” said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide.
“In parallel, we’re expanding commercial service to high-demand areas like Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands – bringing smart mobility solutions to more users in the Middle East. Together, these demonstrate our technological maturity while moving us closer to mass commercialisation of robotaxis.”
Expanding Smart Mobility Coverage
WeRide’s Abu Dhabi deployment began in 2021, initially operating in mixed traffic environments with a human safety operator present. This current phase removes that final layer of human oversight, relying entirely on AI systems to navigate complex traffic scenarios, handle dynamic road conditions, and interact safely with pedestrians and other vehicles.
The new robotaxi coverage in Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands reflects rising demand for tech-forward transport in commercial, residential, and leisure hubs of Abu Dhabi. These zones are home to corporate offices, high-end retail, cultural venues, and medical institutions—providing an ideal test bed for autonomous scalability.
WeRide’s expanded operations follow its December 2024 partnership with Uber, which introduced one of the largest commercial robotaxi services outside the US and China. The partnership enables Abu Dhabi residents to hail autonomous rides directly via the Uber app, blending convenience with cutting-edge technology.
Road to Commercialisation
Pending regulatory approval, commercial driverless rides and further route expansions are expected from summer 2025, positioning WeRide to become a cornerstone of the UAE’s smart city vision. The company’s operations are also closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader ambitions to become a global testbed for mobility innovation, AI integration, and sustainable urban infrastructure.
With Abu Dhabi at the forefront of transport innovation and WeRide pushing toward mass-market robotaxi commercialisation, the UAE is well on its way to becoming a global leader in next-generation autonomous mobility.
