Autonomous taxis roll out on Al Reem, Al Maryah after 600,000 safe kilometres

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for smart mobility innovation, with autonomous taxis achieving an unprecedented milestone: over 600,000 kilometers of accident-free operation.

According to statistics from the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), under the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), autonomous vehicles have completed 40,000 successful trips, with 99% of operations conducted autonomously, using a fleet of 22 self-driving vehicles.

This achievement marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi’s journey toward adopting autonomous driving technologies. The remarkable performance of these vehicles reflects the advanced nature of the technology in use and the emirate’s readiness in terms of infrastructure to support future modes of transport. Key success factors include a flexible regulatory environment, modern road networks, and the integration of intelligent transport systems.

As part of its current strategy for the development of the autonomous mobility sector, the ITC aims to achieve several key goals by 2040: increasing the share of autonomous vehicle trips to 25% of all journeys in Abu Dhabi, reducing carbon emissions by 15%, and decreasing traffic accidents by 18%.

The autonomous vehicle project currently operates in several high-profile areas in Abu Dhabi, including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and the roads leading to Zayed International Airport. The service spans commercial, residential, and tourism zones, offering diverse real-world experiences that contribute to continuous vehicle performance enhancement, supported by data analytics to refine algorithms and driving systems.

Public adoption of autonomous taxis continues to rise, with users expressing high satisfaction—particularly with regard to precise routing, smooth driving, and safety levels. The vehicles are monitored remotely through an advanced operations center, which ensures immediate intervention if necessary, although 99% of the rides are completed without human input, reinforcing public trust in the technology.

This success aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, which seeks to promote sustainability, adopt smart mobility solutions, cut carbon emissions, and integrate public and private transportation systems. The initiative also lays the foundation for the service’s future expansion into additional areas within—and possibly beyond—the emirate. 

Abu Dhabi’s autonomous taxi performance stands as a global model, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to transforming into a smart city where innovation serves society. As the service evolves, further advancements are expected in the emirate’s transport ecosystem, enhancing its status as a future-ready smart capital. 

In line with its strategy to bring autonomous vehicle services to all areas of Abu Dhabi Island, the Abu Dhabi government—through the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)—has expanded the scope of autonomous taxi operations to include Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. This move is in partnership with WeRide, a leading autonomous driving technology company, and in collaboration with Uber and TXAI, the local operator of the project, under the framework of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) strategy.

This initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to develop an AI-powered transport system and strengthen its position as a regional leader in smart mobility and innovation. It also aligns with the emirate’s Smart Mobility Strategy, which seeks to build a sustainable and intelligent transport environment for residents and visitors.

With this expansion, autonomous taxi services now cover half of Abu Dhabi’s main districts, contributing to the emirate’s strategic goal of making 25% of all trips reliant on smart transport solutions by 2040.

The newly launched services target Al Reem and Al Maryah—two of Abu Dhabi’s most densely populated and economically vital islands. Known for their complex traffic flows and high vehicle volumes, these areas offer an ideal environment to showcase WeRide’s advanced capabilities, while also meeting rising demand for accessible and reliable mobility solutions amid growing urban traffic challenges.

This expansion builds upon existing autonomous taxi services in Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and the routes to Zayed International Airport. It forms part of the current growth plan to scale up both the fleet and geographic reach of Abu Dhabi’s smart mobility project.

A Key Milestone in Transport Transformation

Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, stated that this expansion marks a key step in Abu Dhabi’s journey toward a smarter and safer transport ecosystem. He emphasized the commitment to adopting innovative, sustainable solutions to enhance the transportation network, improve residents’ quality of life, accelerate progress, and optimize the mobility experience through strategic partnerships.

WeRide is one of the world’s leading technology firms specializing in autonomous driving, and Abu Dhabi hosts the company’s largest operational fleet outside of the United States and China—further underscoring the emirate’s status as a center of innovation and its vision for a smart, sustainable urban mobility system.