Uber Teams Up with Chinese Firm WeRide for First Autonomous Taxi Service in Abu Dhabi

Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle technology firm WeRide have launched a commercial robo-taxi service in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the ride-hailing industry’s shift toward self-driving technology.

An Uber spokesperson announced on Saturday that the partnership with WeRide would initially operate on a limited scale. This launch represents Uber’s first step into international autonomous vehicle services.

While the specific size of the fleet in Abu Dhabi remains undisclosed, the service will initially connect key locations such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi International Airport. Both companies have indicated plans for future expansion.

Initially, each vehicle will be staffed with a human safety operator to transition to fully autonomous commercial services by late 2025.

Uber and WeRide are collaborating with local partner Tawasol Transport to manage vehicle operations.

This initiative is part of Uber’s broader strategy to collaborate with autonomous vehicle companies across various sectors, including ride-hailing, delivery, and trucking.

However, investors remain skeptical about the ability of established companies like Uber to compete with dedicated autonomous technology developers such as Waymo and Tesla.

The market’s uncertainty was evident on Thursday when Uber’s stock dropped nearly 10% following Waymo’s announcement of plans to launch a robotaxi service in Miami.

Despite industry projections suggesting widespread disruption of the ride-hailing sector by autonomous vehicles, which is still years away, Uber could potentially position itself as a key app for accessing robot taxi services.

In a surprising turn, Uber’s stock rebounded after the Abu Dhabi announcement, closing 1.32% at $66.09.