Abu Dhabi is getting Uber robotaxis - and you can already get one this weekend

In today’s “Abu Dhabi is becoming one of the most advanced cities in the world”, we bring you – Uber’s brand new self-driving cars.

Yes, that’s right. The new service has launched in the capital, offering autonomous rides between certain locations.

Launched in collaboration with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, this is the first of its kind outside the United States. Feeling smug? Us? Never…

Wondering where you can go? You can hail the ride of the future in Saadiyat Island, Yas Island (perfect if you’re around for the Abu Dhabi GP), and routes to and from Zayed International Airport.

While this is a limited service for now, it will be available for more regions in the capital very soon.

So how can you book? All you have to do is pick the autonomous WeRide vehicles for specific journeys when booking your UberX or Uber Comfort.

During the initial phase of the service, it won’t be just you and your Uber though – a safety operator will be around to ensure that everything goes well for both passengers and pedestrians.

And there’s more to come – this is only the first phase before the commercial launch of driverless services later in 2025.

Dr Abdulla Al Ghafli, acting director-general of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), said of the launch: “This initiative is a significant step towards achieving our goals of enhancing transportation and adopting the latest advanced technologies.

“We are confident that using a smart transport service, such as self-driving vehicles, will offer passengers a unique and safe experience. It will also significantly contribute to accelerating the shift towards more sustainable and efficient transportation solutions in Abu Dhabi. We will continue to work on enhancing Abu Dhabi’s ability to adopt smart solutions that contribute to improving the quality of life of our citizens. We look forward to further collaboration with our local and international partners to realise this vision.”

Jennifer Li, chief financial officer and head of International Business at WeRide, also said: “WeRide prioritises passenger and pedestrian safety through rigorously validated autonomous driving technology. As the first publicly listed Robotaxi company, WeRide has demonstrated its commitment to safety through over 1,800 days of public operational experience, setting new benchmarks for autonomous vehicle performance.”