UAE: Uber to launch self-driving cars in Abu Dhabi this year

Uber Technologies is set to introduce self-driving cars in Abu Dhabi soon. The ride-hailing company has partnered with China's WeRide to launch autonomous vehicles on its platform, which is expected to begin in the UAE later this year.

Once operational, a dedicated number of WeRide vehicles will be made available to commuters. Users will be presented with the option to select WeRide's robotaxis through the Uber app. However, the number of self-driving cars to be deployed in Abu Dhabi has not been disclosed.

In 2023, the UAE granted WeRide the first national license for self-driving vehicles on the country's roads. This was the first national-level autonomous driving license in the Middle East and even globally. With this license, WeRide got the approval to conduct various road testing and operations of autonomous driving vehicles in the UAE.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

WeRide's first collaboration with a global ride-hailing platform will help the company expand its reach beyond China, while Uber takes another towards incorporating robotaxis into its platform.

Uber expanded its partnership with Alphabet's Waymo to bring robotaxis to Austin and Atlanta in the United States earlier this month.

• UAE: Air taxis, self-driving cars, autonomous tech firms drive into Abu Dhabi's smart transport cluster