Uber and WeRide Launch Driverless Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi

Uber Technologies and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have launched fully driverless robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such commercial operations outside the United States and the inaugural deployment in the Middle East. The service began this week on Yas Island, a 12-square-mile tourist district in the United Arab Emirates capital that hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 circuit.

Riders in the designated area can now request a WeRide robotaxi through the Uber app by selecting UberX or Uber Comfort ride options, where they may be matched with an autonomous vehicle. To improve the likelihood of receiving a driverless ride, users can choose a new "Autonomous" category, which carries pricing similar to Uber Comfort. The vehicles operate at Level 4 autonomy, capable of handling all driving tasks in specific conditions without human intervention. Support for passengers is available via the Uber app and an in-vehicle tablet during trips.

The initial rollout covers Yas Island exclusively, with rides in other parts of the city, including highways, airport routes, and connections to nearby islands spanning about 30 square miles, still requiring a safety...