WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi Service Now Covers Nearly 70% of Abu Dhabi’s Core—Fleet Quadruples Since 2024 Launch

Expanded Coverage Reaches Abu Dhabi’s Top Destinations and Hotels

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800) and Uber (NYSE: UBER) have marked a major milestone by launching the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi. This expansion now connects riders between popular landmarks such as the Corniche Road and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as well as Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan. With the rollout, nearly 70% of Abu Dhabi’s core is within reach of these autonomous vehicles—a notable jump from half the city just months ago.

Fleet Growth Signals Momentum—Fourfold Increase in Less Than Two Years

Since the initial partnership launch in December 2024, the fleet size has quadrupled, enabling wider coverage and higher availability. The service now stands as Abu Dhabi’s largest autonomous mobility solution and is operated in collaboration with Tawasul Transport, with each Robotaxi drive monitored by a vehicle specialist. This growth is laying groundwork for the eventual transition to fully driverless operations.

*2024 vs reported latest annual level

Strategic Urban Corridors Link Tourism Surge and Smart Mobility Vision

With Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque being the top attraction in the Middle East in 2025 and a spike in hotel guests (27% annual growth), the Robotaxi network is designed to support the city’s booming tourism sector. Major hotels lining the Corniche and city’s urban axis—such as Grand Hyatt, Emirates Palace, InterContinental, and Radisson Blu—are now accessible via autonomous rides. By doing so, WeRide not only supports Abu Dhabi’s smart mobility ambitions but also increases urban connectivity and expands safe, reliable access for both residents and visitors.

Regional Leadership: Abu Dhabi Poised for Driverless Transformation

This development follows WeRide’s record as the first company to secure a city-level fully driverless permit outside the US and launch Level 4 operations on Yas Island in late 2025. Backed by the endorsement of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), WeRide and Uber are now committed to scaling up to at least 1,200 Robotaxis throughout the Middle East—including future deployments in Dubai and Riyadh by 2027.

First-Mover Advantage: Regulatory Wins and Global Reach

WeRide’s four-year head start in Abu Dhabi and its distinction as the first with a UAE-wide license for all types of autonomous vehicles offer a significant moat. Having now run public Robotaxi services since 2021, the company has over 200 Robotaxis in the region and boasts operations in 40 cities worldwide, holding autonomous driving permits in eight global markets.

Takeaway: Rapid Scale and Regulatory Backing Set Stage for Middle East AV Leadership

The sharp increase in fleet size and coverage area, together with regulatory momentum and surging tourist demand, suggest that WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi network could become an anchor of urban transport in Abu Dhabi and beyond. As thousands of autonomous vehicles are on the horizon for the Middle East by 2027, the region will be worth watching as a litmus test for the global robotaxi market’s next phase.

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