Abu Dhabi Launches Middle East’s First Driverless Robotaxi

Abu Dhabi has launched the Middle East’s first fully driverless robotaxi service in partnership with Uber and WeRide. Discover how this breakthrough in autonomous mobility will reshape urban transport and create new opportunities for travel agents and industry stakeholders.

A New Era of Autonomy Begins in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has officially become the first city outside the United States to operate 100% driverless robotaxis, marking a major shift in the global mobility landscape.
Launched on December 1, 2025, the service is a collaboration between Uber, WeRide, and the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)—positioning the UAE as a leader in autonomous transport innovation.

This development strengthens the UAE’s long-term vision of integrating next-generation mobility systems and smart-city technologies across its transport network.

Public Access Through the Uber App

Abu Dhabi is now the first city to allow the public to experience commercial, fully driverless rides with no safety driver on board.

Travellers and residents can book robotaxi rides through three categories on the Uber app:

• UberX

• Uber Comfort

• Autonomous (the world’s first fully driverless ride-hailing category)

This milestone reflects the UAE’s confidence in autonomous systems and its readiness to adopt real-world driverless mobility at scale.

Why This Matters for B2B Travel & Mobility Professionals

For travel agents, DMCs, and corporate travel planners, the launch opens significant new possibilities:

• Reduced last-mile logistics challenges for tourists and business travellers.

• More predictable urban mobility with fewer human-driver variations.

• A futuristic selling point for itineraries, MICE programs, and premium customer experiences.

• Stronger mobility infrastructure supporting high-volume events in Abu Dhabi.

Strong Regulatory Support Accelerates Deployment

The ITC’s approval of WeRide’s fully driverless operations demonstrates a high degree of regulatory maturity.
WeRide has been testing autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi since 2021, and in 2023, it became the first company in the UAE to secure a national permit covering all levels of autonomous driving.

Today, over 100 robotaxis are already operating across the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi leading the ecosystem.

Scaling Autonomous Operations Across the Middle East

The Uber–WeRide partnership is not limited to Abu Dhabi.
Both companies have outlined plans to expand robotaxi operations across the region, including:

• Greater Abu Dhabi metropolitan areas

• High-demand tourist and corporate zones

• Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries

By late 2025, operations are expected to cover more central districts and underserved mobility corridors to improve overall service efficiency.

This expansion aims to achieve strong unit economics, optimized routing, and broader availability across key markets.

Why WeRide Holds a First-Mover Advantage

WeRide’s early entry into the autonomous mobility sector has given it a unique competitive advantage:

• Four years of real-world deployment experience

• Continuous collaboration with regional regulators

• Rapid fleet scaling and technological refinement

• Strong operational presence across the UAE and China

This first-mover position makes WeRide one of the leading suppliers in the global driverless mobility race.

A Major Leap Toward Smart Mobility in the UAE

Abu Dhabi’s robotaxi launch is more than a technological milestone—it underscores the UAE’s ambition to become a global benchmark for smart, sustainable, autonomous mobility.

For the B2B travel sector, this means:

• More innovative travel products

• Enhanced guest mobility experiences

• Increased automation in ground transportation

• Better integration between tourism and smart-city ecosystems
  
  
  

Conclusion: Redefining Urban Travel in the Middle East

The launch of fully driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi marks a turning point in the evolution of travel and transportation across the Middle East. With Uber and WeRide scaling operations rapidly, autonomous technologies will play a central role in shaping the region’s future mobility networks.

For travel agents, corporate travel planners, and aviation professionals, this shift opens opportunities to enhance service quality, build smarter itineraries, and deliver cutting-edge mobility solutions to clients.

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