Driverless Robotaxis Now on Abu Dhabi Roads as WeRide Launches First-of-its-Kind Trials in Middle East
In a regional first, China’s Nasdaq-listed autonomous driving company WeRide has launched fully driverless robotaxi trials on public roads in Abu Dhabi. The initiative marks a major step forward in the UAE’s journey toward smart and autonomous mobility.
The pilot program will operate without safety drivers, showcasing the maturity of WeRide’s AI-powered transportation system. The company also announced that its Robotaxi service will expand to cover high-demand areas, including Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, further building on its existing network across Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Zayed International Airport.
Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in summer 2025, pending final regulatory approvals.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide, said: “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 developments reflect our progress toward mass commercialisation of Robotaxis.”
WeRide’s autonomous vehicles rely on a blend of cutting-edge sensors, AI algorithms, and real-time mapping technology, enabling them to navigate traffic without human intervention. The company already operates eight fully driverless routes in Guangzhou, China—available 24/7—making it the first all-day Robotaxi service in a major Chinese city.
In July 2023, WeRide became the first company to receive a national license for self-driving vehicles in the UAE, allowing it to test and operate autonomous cars across the country. Further expanding its regional footprint, WeRide partnered with Uber in December 2024 to launch the largest robotaxi deployment outside the US and China.
As a member of the Abu Dhabi Smart and Autonomous Systems Council’s working group, WeRide is also contributing to infrastructure development and regulatory guidance to support the UAE’s autonomous transportation roadmap.
Dubai, meanwhile, is set to follow suit with the introduction of electric self-driving taxis by Q1 2026, as the UAE accelerates adoption of next-generation mobility solutions.
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