Uber has introduced a robotaxi service in partnership with WeRide in Abu Dhabi, marking its first international initiative to integrate a variety of autonomous vehicles from multiple operators onto its platform. This collaboration offers Uber customers the option to book rides in self-driving vehicles, providing an alternative to traditional UberX and Uber Comfort options.
When booking a ride through the Uber app, users in Abu Dhabi can select an autonomous vehicle operated by WeRide. Fares for these rides will be displayed upfront and priced similarly to UberX and Uber Comfort services. At launch, the robotaxi service will include safety drivers in the vehicles, meaning it will not be fully autonomous. However, both Uber and WeRide aim to introduce driverless rides by 2025, signaling their commitment to advancing autonomous technology.
Uber’s partnership with WeRide, a Guangzhou-based startup, was first announced in September of the previous year. WeRide holds permits for driverless operations in multiple regions, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, and the United States. Despite this broad operational reach, Uber has stated it currently has no plans to expand its partnership with WeRide beyond the UAE.
In Abu Dhabi, WeRide’s autonomous vehicles have been available through the TXAI app, a service that began following the company’s approval to test and operate autonomous vehicles on public roads in the UAE in July 2023. This initiative highlights the region’s growing interest in adopting advanced transportation technologies and underscores WeRide’s expanding presence in the global autonomous vehicle market.
WeRide, which develops self-driving technology for applications beyond robotaxis, also powers shuttle buses and freight equipment. The company was founded in Silicon Valley in 2017 and later incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Its technology has gained recognition for its versatility, serving diverse transportation needs across different markets.
The company recently faced delays in its plan to go public in the United States, initially targeting a $5 billion valuation. The delay was attributed to the need to finalize documentation, but WeRide eventually completed its IPO debut in October.
Uber’s foray into Abu Dhabi’s autonomous vehicle market aligns with its broader strategy of partnering with companies operating self-driving cars worldwide. Since ending its in-house efforts to develop autonomous vehicles in 2020, Uber has sought to position itself as a central platform for autonomous transportation providers. Beyond WeRide, Uber has established partnerships with other leading companies in the field, including Cruise, Waymo, Motional, and Avride, to facilitate self-driving car rides. Additionally, Uber has agreements with Serve, Cartken, and Nuro to incorporate delivery robots into its operations.
This new initiative in Abu Dhabi reflects Uber’s vision of integrating cutting-edge technology into its platform, offering customers diverse transportation options. While the robotaxi service is currently limited to vehicles with safety drivers, the planned introduction of fully driverless rides in the near future underscores Uber and WeRide’s commitment to advancing autonomous mobility.
By collaborating with WeRide, Uber not only enhances its service offerings but also strengthens its position as a global leader in the evolving autonomous vehicle market. The partnership serves as a significant step in Uber’s efforts to bring autonomous transportation to a broader audience, demonstrating the potential for innovative technology to transform urban mobility.
Looking ahead, the success of this robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi could influence Uber’s approach to autonomous vehicle integration in other international markets. The initiative represents an important milestone in the journey toward fully autonomous ride-hailing services, showcasing how partnerships between established platforms like Uber and innovative companies like WeRide can accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies on a global scale.