Uber and WeRide Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi

November 26, 2025

1–2 minutes

Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide have begun operating a fully driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, with no human safety operator on board. The service is now available to the public, starting with routes on Yas Island, a major tourist hub in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city.

The launch marks a significant step for autonomous transportation in the region. It is the first commercial driverless ride-hailing deployment outside China and the United States, according to Uber. The milestone comes after WeRide secured a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates in October 2025 to operate commercial rides with no driver.

Uber users in Abu Dhabi selecting UberX or Uber Comfort may now be matched with robotaxis operated by WeRide. Riders seeking a guaranteed autonomous experience can choose an ‘Autonomous’ option within the Uber app. Uber and WeRide are working alongside local fleet operator Tawasul to support the rollout.

The announcement mirrors Uber’s similar project with Waymo in Austin, where robotaxis have also begun operating. Uber’s global autonomous vehicle strategy includes a network of 20 partnerships with companies developing self-driving technologies, extending across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.

“This historic transportation milestone” is significant, said Sarfraz Maredia, head of autonomous mobility and delivery at Uber, in a press statement. “Today’s fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi represents a historic transportation milestone, as the first driverless AV deployment outside of the U.S. or China.”

Uber and WeRide previously stated their intention to expand the driverless service to Abu Dhabi’s city center and eventually to up to 15 cities across the Middle East and Europe. At present, WeRide operates more than 150 robotaxis in the region, with plans to scale to thousands in the coming years.

The move into Abu Dhabi is part of Uber’s broader goal to operate autonomous ride services in at least 10 cities globally by the end of 2026, according to comments by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in its third-quarter 2025 earnings report.

Source: TechCrunch, https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/25/uber-and-werides-robotaxi-service-in-abu-dhabi-is-officially-driverless/

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U.S. and Saudi warplanes carried out strikes in Iraq on Tuesday, targeting Iran-backed militias that the U.S. military said had launched more than two dozen drone attacks in recent days.

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• A 12-ounce vacuum package of “Royale Natural Applewood Smoked ALL NATURAL Uncured Bacon Product of Canada” with sell-by dates of “SEP 01 2026” and “SEP 07 2026” printed on the side of the package.

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Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, was confirmed 51-47 on a party-line vote.

Republicans had hoped to confirm Clayton in June, but Trump postponed his hearing to allow his temporary pick, Bill Pulte, to serve for several weeks after former director Tulsi Gabbard resigned.

Pulte was in charge when Trump spoke from the White House earlier this month about the 2020 election, which he lost, and released classified documents that he said supported his arguments.

Democrats also raised concerns about Clayton after a hearing two weeks ago in which he repeatedly declined to say that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Clayton said the election was “certified” for Biden.

Hours before the vote, Pulte released intelligence community documents from 2020 describing China’s capacity to interfere in U.S. politics and vulnerabilities in the election system. The material was largely already known, but the disclosure came as the Trump administration continued to scrutinize U.S. elections.

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“I saw firsthand how a strong national security apparatus depends on decisive judgment, discipline, integrity, and effective communication and cooperation across different branches of the government,” Clayton said. “If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, I will commit to upholding these principles every day.”

Clayton also told senators that he had no involvement in Trump’s speech about the 2020 election.

Trump praised Clayton after the vote, writing on social media: “Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!”