Uber-WeRide Robotaxi Service Launch Takes AVs to Select Abu Dhabi Locations
Uber and WeRide have launched robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi. According to TechCrunch, the commercial robotaxi service is the first international self-driving vehicle offering for the American ride-hailing company. The launch is also the largest commercial robotaxi that Uber has launched outside of China and the US.
Uber and WeRide first announced plans to launch Uber robotaxis in the UAE in September 2024. The two companies said their partnership also involved adding WeRide cars to Uber’s ride sharing platform.
Strong Partnership
The Uber robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi marks an important step towards making autonomous vehicles a daily part of riders’ life in the region. The launch is facilitated by the Integrated Transport Center. UAE transport company, Tawasul Transport, will serve as the fleet operator.
“We’re thrilled to launch our partnership with WeRide, and receive the support of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre. As we take this next step in Abu Dhabi, we are excited to build on the strength of the Uber platform, helping our partners make autonomous vehicles a part of everyday life,” Uber Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations Noah Zych said.
In Abu Dhabi, Uber users who request for rides on the Uber Comfort or UberX platform will be matched with WeRide self-driving vehicles for qualifying trips. Uber said that WeRide cars will be available for Uber trips in key parts of Abu Dhabi. These include Yas Island, Saadiyat, and routes to and fro Zayed International Airport. The company said it plans to expand its reach in future.
Prioritizing Passenger Safety
For starters, launched WeRide robotaxis will have a safety operator available. The goal is to ensure that riders and pedestrians have a safe and reliable experience. The presence of safety operators will also lay the necessary groundwork for rolling out a fully self-driving commercial service later next year.
“WeRide prioritizes 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,” WeRide Chief Financial Officer and Head of International Business Jennifer Li said.
In Abu Dhabi, Uber riders who prefer driverless vehicles can boost their chances of getting matched with WeRide AVs by changing the settings on their Uber app.
Uber’s Competitiveness
In recent years, Uber has been intentional in partnering with driverless technology companies across different sectors. These include delivery, ride-hailing, and trucking companies. The US-based ride-hailing company has already partnered with Aurora Innovation, Wayve, Wasabi, Serve Robotics among others.
Despite these partnerships, some investors feel that Uber may not withstand competition from big players like Tesla and Waymo that are building driverless technology. Last month, Waymo dropped its waitlist feature, opening up its robotaxi services to anyone in need of a ride in Los Angeles. Waymo’s service expansion to US cities has been gradual.
The autonomous ride hailing company started operating in Phoenix in the year 2020. It has since expanded its operations to Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now Miami. Uber stocks dipped by close to 10% on December 5 2024 after Waymo unveiled plans to introduce its robotaxis service in Miami.
