Driverless taxis hit Abu Dhabi roads: WeRide launches robotaxi trials

Abu Dhabi: Residents and visitors in Abu Dhabi are about to experience the future of transportation firsthand. China’s Nasdaq-listed WeRide, on Friday, announced the launch of fully driverless robotaxi trials in the capital, marking the first time such a service has been deployed in the Middle East. Starting this quarter, a fleet of WeRide’s Robotaxis will be piloted on public roads without a safety driver.

Commercial driverless rides and additional service areas will be introduced progressively starting in the summer of 2025, pending regulatory approvals, WeRide shared in a statement.

As part of this new phase, WeRide will extend its Robotaxi service coverage to two high-demand islands in Abu Dhabi: Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.

These new zones build on WeRide’s existing Robotaxi network, which has been serving Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and routes connecting to Zayed International Airport since 2021.

This announcement follows WeRide's confirmation that it has rolled out eight fully driverless ride-hailing routes operating 24/7 across central Guangzhou, marking China’s first all-day autonomous Robotaxi network in a major city.

Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide, said, “In parallel, we are expanding commercial service to high-demand areas like Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands – bringing smart mobility solutions to more users in the Middle East. Together, these demonstrate our technological maturity while moving us closer to mass commercialisation of Robotaxis.”

For the uninitiated, driverless or "robotaxis" utilises sophisticated sensors, artificial intelligence, and mapping technology to navigate roads and transport passengers without human intervention. The development of this technology has been ongoing globally for several years, with companies like WeRide at the forefront of testing and deploying these autonomous vehicles in select areas.

In July 2023, WeRide received the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, authorising the testing and operation of its autonomous cars on public roads nationwide. Further solidifying their presence, WeRide partnered with Uber in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 to launch a ride-hailing service using their robotaxis, the largest commercial deployment outside the US and China.

As a member of the Infrastructure, Regulations, and Pilot Acceleration Working Group under the Abu Dhabi Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, WeRide also advises on developing local infrastructure and legislation to advance autonomous mobility. In Dubai, self-driving electric taxis scheduled to start in Dubai from Q1 of 2026.