WeRide and Uber Expand Robotaxi Reach in Abu Dhabi, Ride Volumes Expected to Double

WeRide and Uber have expanded their Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, covering about half of the city's core areas. The service is expected to double ride volumes, with the companies aiming to grow their fleet to hundreds of Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi later this year. The expansion includes Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, as well as highway routes to and from Zayed International Airport.

Title: WeRide and Uber Expand Robotaxi Services in Abu Dhabi, Aiming to Double Ride Volumes

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, July 2, 2025 — WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) and Uber (NYSE: UBER) have announced a significant expansion of their Robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi, covering approximately half of the city's core areas. The new service, which includes Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, is expected to double ride volumes and is part of a broader plan to grow the fleet to hundreds of Robotaxis by the end of the year [1].

Since launching in Abu Dhabi in December 2024, the WeRide and Uber Robotaxi fleet has tripled in size, with the companies aiming to extend services into Khalifa City, Masdar City, and more areas of downtown Abu Dhabi later this year [1]. The expansion marks a strategic move to reach more passengers and showcase the companies' advanced autonomous vehicle technology in complex urban settings [1].

The new service utilizes WeRide's GXR model, a purpose-built, mass-produced autonomous vehicle designed for scaled commercial deployment, which can accommodate up to five passengers. Each vehicle is expected to average dozens of trips per day during a 12-hour shift [1].

Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are among Abu Dhabi's most dynamic and densely populated districts, serving as hubs for finance, residential communities, and commerce. Their heavy traffic and complex road conditions highlight WeRide's technical expertise in deploying autonomous vehicles at scale, while advancing Abu Dhabi's vision to become the region's leading hub for smart mobility and innovation [1].

Fully driverless testing of WeRide's Robotaxis is currently underway, with public access anticipated in the coming months. Passengers can access the service through the Uber and TXAI apps [1].

Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, stated, "Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are high-demand areas and serve as key gateways to Abu Dhabi. This expansion gives us the opportunity to reach more passengers, showcase our advanced technology in complex urban settings, and further accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the city. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from the Integrated Transport Centre and our strong partnership with Uber, which continues to drive our growth in the Middle East and beyond" [1].

Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, added, "This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey towards realizing its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system. By working closely with our strategic partners, we are accelerating progress and enhancing the transport experience for everyone" [1].

Mohamad Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber, commented, "We’re pleased to expand our autonomous vehicle service in Abu Dhabi to Al Reem and Al Maryah in partnership with WeRide and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Mobility. We’ve seen some great engagement from riders in Abu Dhabi since launch and are excited to make autonomous rides more accessible to even more people in the Emirate" [1].

The expansion of WeRide and Uber's Robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi is part of a broader trend in the autonomous vehicle industry, with companies increasingly looking to deploy their technology in urban environments. As the technology continues to advance, it is expected to play an increasingly significant role in the global mobility landscape.

References
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/WRD/we-ride-and-uber-expand-robotaxi-reach-in-abu-dhabi-ride-volumes-x191w9piaygk.html