Uber users in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will soon be able to book a ride in a self-driving car. The ride-hailing giant announced on Friday, December 6 that it is partnering with Chinese carmaker WeRide to provide autonomous vehicles.
To begin with, RobotTaxi will ferry passengers between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, as well as to and from Zayed International Airport, according to a report. CNBC.
However, the company clarified that every WeRide-built robottaxi will have a human driver in the driving seat to “ensure a safe and reliable experience for riders and pedestrians.”
Uber users in Abu Dhabi may have to wait until late 2025 for a fully driverless experience. Outside the UAE, the company has an autonomous vehicle service based in the US.
Earlier this year, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed that the company is looking to expand its robottaxi offering by partnering with more than a dozen different autonomous vehicle companies. “Our autonomous strategy is working (…) AV partners are clearly realizing the significant value Uber can bring to their deployment plans,” he said on the earnings call.
WeRide is a Nasdaq-listed autonomous vehicle developer. Its website claims the company is licensed to test and operate driverless vehicles in Dubai, the UAE, as well as Singapore, China and the US.