WeRide and Uber have agreed on a new pilot project to deploy self-driving robot taxis in Abu Dhabi before the end of 2024. Under the partnership, WeRide's autonomous vehicles will be integrated into the Uber network, allowing riders to book a ride directly through the Uber app.
How the WeRide Uber Abu Dhabi Robotaxi Service Works
During the initial rollout, riders requesting eligible trips will have the option to be picked up in a WeRide autonomous vehicle. The arrangement marks a significant step forward in the UAE's journey toward mainstream self-driving mobility, combining WeRide's proven autonomous fleet with Uber's global ride-hailing platform.
WeRide: The UAE's Autonomous Driving Pioneer
WeRide currently operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE and has been delivering rides through the TXAI app since 2021. Crucially, it holds the country's only national autonomous driving license, issued in July 2023. That license authorises WeRide to deploy and test self-driving cars on public roads across every region of the country — a regulatory milestone that no other operator in the UAE has achieved.
WeRide was founded by Tony Han, and the company's global mission centres on delivering affordable, safe, and environmentally sustainable mobility at scale.
Leadership Behind the Deal
The partnership agreement was signed at a formal ceremony attended by senior executives from both companies. Andrew Macdonald, Uber's Senior Vice President of Mobility and Business Operations, represented Uber, while Hua Zhong, WeRide's Senior Vice President, signed on behalf of WeRide. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has consistently championed a vision of transportation that is "electrified, shared and self-driven" — a vision this Abu Dhabi robotaxi pilot directly advances.
UAE Cements Its Place in Autonomous Transport
The WeRide–Uber Abu Dhabi robotaxi partnership reaffirms the UAE's ambition to become a global technological leader in autonomous transportation. By pairing the region's most established self-driving operator with the world's largest ride-hailing platform, the initiative positions Abu Dhabi as one of the most advanced cities in the world for driverless mobility — alongside established markets in the US and China.
