WeRide has completed the first fully driverless robotaxi trials in the Middle East, operating autonomous vehicles on Abu Dhabi public roads with no safety driver or passenger escort on board. The milestone marks a significant leap forward in the UAE's push toward smarter, autonomous urban mobility.
First Driverless Robotaxi Trials in the Middle East
The trial runs place Abu Dhabi among a small group of global cities — alongside San Francisco and Wuhan — where fully autonomous vehicles now share ordinary public streets with human drivers. WeRide's robotaxis operated across existing service zones including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and routes connecting to Zayed International Airport, all of which have been part of the company's Abu Dhabi network since 2021.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, said: "We are proud to be the first company to pilot fully autonomous cars in the Middle East, proving our position as leaders in global urban areas."
Expansion to Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands
In the coming quarter, WeRide plans to extend its Abu Dhabi robotaxi service to Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, significantly broadening coverage across the city's most densely populated and commercially active districts. Further service rollouts are targeted for summer 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
How WeRide Reached This Point
WeRide's UAE journey began in July 2023, when the company became the first in the country to receive a national autonomous vehicle license — authorising testing and commercial operation of self-driving vehicles on public roads nationwide. That regulatory milestone reflected the UAE government's clear commitment to next-generation mobility infrastructure.
In December 2024, WeRide and Uber announced a ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi, launching what became the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the United States and China. That collaboration brought autonomous rides into everyday transport for Abu Dhabi residents for the first time.
UAE Positions Itself as a Global AV Hub
WeRide's safety-approved autonomous technology and expanding operational footprint are helping cement Abu Dhabi's reputation as one of the world's leading testbeds for self-driving transport. The company views the UAE as a priority market in its global expansion, and the driverless trial results are expected to accelerate the path toward full commercial deployment across the Gulf region.
Fully driverless city transport is no longer a distant concept — and Abu Dhabi is at the front of the queue.
