Abu Dhabi becomes first city in region to launch commercial driverless vehicles

In a groundbreaking move for the Middle East and North Africa, Abu Dhabi has become the first city in the region to begin the commercial operation of fully autonomous vehicles.

The announcement was made by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) – an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, during DRIFTx 2025, held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The initiative is being carried out under the supervision of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC).

Level 4 driverless cars

The launch marks the start of Level 4 autonomous vehicle operations – a key milestone achieved through close collaboration between the ITC, RegLab at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, and the Supervisory Committee for Advanced Driving Systems Testing chaired by the Ministry of Interior.

As part of this phase, the ITC has granted the first two operating permits for the commercial deployment of fully driverless vehicles. These will be operated by WeRide, in collaboration with Uber and Tawasul, and by AutoGo–K2, working with ApolloGo–Baidu.

On-road testing

The ITC confirmed that the permits were issued only after meeting stringent safety and operational requirements and completing extensive on-road testing. “These tests covered performance evaluations, sensor systems and vehicle responses in real-world traffic conditions in Abu Dhabi,” the ITC said.

As of October 2025, WeRide’s Robotaxis have clocked more than 800,000km in Abu Dhabi, with each vehicle completing up to 20 trips per 12-hour shift. The Uber–WeRide fleet now operates the largest commercial Robotaxi network in the Middle East, covering roughly half of Abu Dhabi’s core urban area.

WeRide also began fully driverless Level 4 testing in the second quarter of 2025 – the first deployment of its kind in the region – marking a major step towards commercial readiness.

Unmanned operation

Meanwhile, AutoGo–K2 achieved full unmanned, Level 4 operation approval on Yas Island in record time, advancing from initial deployment in July 2025 to ITC-certified driverless service by September. Within that period, its fleet completed over 100,000km of autonomous testing, moving swiftly from safety-officer monitoring to passenger-seat supervision, and finally to completely unmanned operation.

ITC to monitor movements

To ensure safety and oversight, the ITC said it will monitor all autonomous vehicle movements in real time through an advanced digital platform that allows live tracking and immediate logging of incidents or violations. This system – a first of its kind in the region – will enhance regulatory control and strengthen public confidence in the emerging driverless ecosystem.

Leader in smart mobility

“This authorisation is a strategic milestone that cements Abu Dhabi’s status as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility,” Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the ITC, said. “It reflects the forward-looking vision of Abu Dhabi’s government in enabling future technologies and delivering real-world applications within a safe and efficient mobility system.”

Dr AlGhfeli noted that the achievement reflects the Emirate’s commitment to building comprehensive regulatory and operational frameworks that ensure the highest safety and quality standards for autonomous transport.

This development marks a pivotal phase in Abu Dhabi’s journey toward a fully integrated smart mobility ecosystem – accelerating the adoption of autonomous solutions and strengthening the Emirate’s position as a global model for smart, safe, and sustainable cities.