WeRide & Uber Launch First Commercial Robotaxi Service in Downtown Abu Dhabi

WeRide and Uber Expand Robotaxi Service to Downtown Abu Dhabi

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800) and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) have launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on February 12, 2026. This expansion marks the first deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Abu Dhabi’s city center and significantly increases the service’s reach to approximately 70% of the city’s core areas.

The newly expanded service now operates across Khalifa City, Masdar City, Rabdan, and along routes connecting Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This builds upon initial operations that began in December 2024, covering areas like Al Reem, Al Maryah, Yas, and Saadiyat, as well as routes to and from Zayed International Airport. The fleet size has quadrupled since the initial launch.

Riders using the Uber platform traveling to or from these new areas may be matched with a WeRide Robotaxi GXR through UberX or Uber Comfort. Users can also directly book a Robotaxi via a dedicated “Autonomous” option within the Uber app. Currently, a vehicle specialist is onboard during public commercial operations as part of a phased approach toward fully driverless functionality.

The expansion is being conducted in partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). Key landmarks within the service area include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and numerous hotels along Corniche Road, such as the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Edition Hotel, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi, and Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort.

Growing Robotaxi Presence in the Middle East

WeRide now operates over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East, and the companies have committed to deploying at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the region – including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh – by 2027. This commitment follows the launch of the Middle East’s first Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations on Yas Island in November 2025, enabled by WeRide securing the world’s first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the United States in October 2025.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, named the top attraction in the Middle East in 2025, is a key destination served by the expanded Robotaxi network. The service aims to support Abu Dhabi’s growth as a tourism hub, with hotels in the Emirate having hosted 4.8 million guests as of 2024 – a 27% year-over-year increase in international visitors.

WeRide’s First-Mover Advantage

WeRide has maintained a four-year first-mover advantage in autonomous vehicle deployment in Abu Dhabi, having operated Robotaxis in the city since 2021. In 2023, the company became the first in the UAE to receive a national license authorizing autonomous testing and operation on public roads throughout the country, subject to approvals at the emirate level. The December 2024 launch of the Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership with Uber represented the largest commercial Robotaxi service outside of the US and China.

Tawasul Transport, a UAE national transport company, serves as the main fleet operator for WeRide vehicles on the Uber platform, providing fleet management services.

About WeRide

WeRide describes itself as a global leader and first mover in the autonomous driving industry, and the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. The company claims to have tested or operated autonomous vehicles in over 40 cities across 11 countries and holds autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. WeRide’s autonomous driving products and services range from Level 2 to Level 4 automation, addressing transportation needs in mobility, logistics, and sanitation.

About Uber

Uber’s stated mission is to create opportunity through movement. The company began in 2010 as a ride-hailing service and has since expanded to include food and package delivery.