ABU DHABI: Starting this quarter, residents and visitors in Abu Dhabi will witness a fleet of WeRide’s robotaxis navigating public roads without a human safety driver on board. The move marks a significant milestone in the region’s smart mobility push and is expected to expand rapidly over the coming year.

WeRide announced plans to introduce commercial driverless rides and additional service areas progressively from summer 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. In the latest expansion phase, robotaxi coverage will extend to Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island—two high-demand zones in the city.

This builds on WeRide’s existing operations across Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport, which have been active since 2021.

Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide, said, that they are expanding commercial service to high-demand areas like Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands – bringing smart mobility solutions to more users in the Middle East.

WeRide’s robotaxis use advanced AI, sensors, and mapping systems to operate without human intervention. Globally, the company is leading the autonomous charge, recently launching eight fully driverless ride-hailing routes in Guangzhou—the first of its kind to run 24/7 in a major Chinese city.

WeRide has been steadily strengthening its presence in the UAE. In July 2023, it secured the country’s first national license for self-driving vehicle operations. By December 2024, it partnered with Uber in Abu Dhabi for a robotaxi-based ride-hailing service—the largest commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles outside the US and China.

As a member of the Abu Dhabi Smart and Autonomous Systems Council’s regulatory working group, WeRide also plays a strategic role in shaping infrastructure and policy for autonomous mobility in the emirate.