Robotaxis to hit Abu Dhabi streets this year, courtesy of Uber, WeRide

Image credit: Michael M. Santiago/ Getty Images

Uber Technologies has partnered with Chinese autonomous car company WeRide to expand its robotaxi offering to the UAE, the companies said on Wednesday.

From later this year, the ride-hailing firm’s users in Abu Dhabi will be able to book a ride in a robotaxi.

“After launch, when a rider requests a qualifying ride on the Uber app, they may be presented with the option to have their trip fulfilled by a WeRide autonomous vehicle,” Uber said in a statement.

WeRide currently operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE, where residents can access its robotaxi services through the TXAI app. It secured the UAE’s first and only national licence for self-driving vehicles in July 2023, allowing it to test and operate robotaxis on public roads throughout the nation.

Guangzhou-based company had eight driverless taxis when it won the license.

“It’s clear that the future of mobility will be increasingly shared, electric, and autonomous, and we look forward to working with leading AV companies such as WeRide to help bring the benefits of autonomous technology to cities around the world,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber.

WeRide’s first collaboration with a global ride-hailing platform will help the company expand its reach beyond China, while Uber will take another step towards incorporating robotaxis into its platform.

Uber and WeRide have no plans to launch robotaxis in the US or China.

Meanwhile, Dubai is accelerating its robotaxi deployment with Cruise, following the launch of supervised testing of Chevrolet Bolt self-driving taxis in October 2023.

The city plans to have 4,000 autonomous taxis by 2030, with Cruise as the exclusive provider until 2029. This initiative aims to ease traffic congestion, reduce accidents, and cut emissions.

Read: Dubai RTA begins testing self-driving taxis: Cruise AV spotted in Jumeirah