WeRide Inc. (WRD) and Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) just made autonomous vehicle history in the Middle East. The two companies announced Wednesday that they're launching Level 4 fully driverless robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi—meaning there's nobody in the driver's seat, no safety operator, just you and the robot doing its thing.
This makes Abu Dhabi the first city in the Middle East and the first market outside the United States where you can hail a completely driverless ride through the Uber app. It's a pretty big deal in the autonomous vehicle world, where regulatory approval outside of a few U.S. cities has been notoriously difficult to secure.
The launch was made possible by what WeRide calls "the world's first city-level permit for fully autonomous Robotaxi operations outside the U.S." That's a mouthful, but the point is clear: Abu Dhabi is rolling out the regulatory red carpet for self-driving cars in a way most cities haven't.
How It Works
Starting Wednesday, passengers can book a WeRide robotaxi through Uber Comfort, UberX, or a brand-new ride category called "Autonomous"—which appears to be a global first for the Uber platform. The service initially covers Yas Island, though expansion plans are already in motion.
The rollout represents significant progress in scaling autonomous mobility across the UAE, thanks to WeRide and Uber's collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and fleet partner Tawasul. In October 2025, WeRide secured a federal permit for fully driverless commercial robotaxi operations, followed by Abu Dhabi's first license from the ITC for WeRide and Tawasul to operate commercially without drivers.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about one launch on one island. The companies say this latest permit and ongoing fleet optimization position their services to reach breakeven unit economics—that magical point where autonomous rides actually start making financial sense. That milestone would advance their broader Middle East expansion plan, which targets deploying thousands of robotaxis across the region in the coming years.
The partnership between WeRide and Uber in Abu Dhabi started back in December 2024, when they launched what was then the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the U.S. and China. By July 2025, the service had expanded to cover roughly half of Abu Dhabi's core areas, including Al Reem and Al Maryah, with more expansion planned by year-end. WeRide currently operates over 100 robotaxis across the Middle East.
Global Momentum
Abu Dhabi isn't the only place where WeRide is making moves. Last week, the company disclosed that Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) granted its robotaxi a driverless permit—another regulatory milestone in a traditionally cautious European market.
As for the market's reaction, WRD shares traded 1.14% higher at $8.01 in premarket trading Wednesday, while UBER was up 0.50%.