WeRide received authorization to operate fully driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first international company to secure a city-level Level 4 autonomous driving commercial permit in the UAE. The permit, granted October 31, 2025, eliminates the requirement for an on-board safety driver and enables commercial operations to begin on the Uber and TXAI platforms.
Highlights
- Abu Dhabi granted WeRide the first city-level fully driverless robotaxi permit issued to an international operator in the UAE, authorizing commercial operations without safety drivers
- The permit enables WeRide’s Abu Dhabi robotaxi services to achieve financial breakeven on unit economics by removing in-vehicle safety officer costs
- Commercial operations will launch on Uber and TXAI platforms, building on WeRide’s partnership with Uber that represents the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the U.S. and China
- WeRide accumulated nearly one million kilometers in Abu Dhabi as of October 2025, with plans to expand the Middle East fleet to 1,000 robotaxis by 2026
Regulatory Approval Process
WeRide’s permit application followed a structured evaluation process that began with the company receiving the UAE’s first national license for autonomous vehicles in July 2023. That license authorized testing and operation on public roads across the country, subject to emirate-level approvals.
The company completed rigorous testing protocols under guidance from relevant authorities before receiving approval for fully driverless commercial operations. Since Q2 2025, WeRide conducted driverless robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi to validate system reliability ahead of commercial deployment, working through a safety and regulatory approval process with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC).
Operational History and Expansion Plans
WeRide established operations in Abu Dhabi through multiple phases:
- 2021: Began operating robotaxis with TXAI in Abu Dhabi
- December 2024: Launched robotaxi ride-hailing partnership with Uber in Abu Dhabi
- July 2025: Expanded service coverage to approximately half of Abu Dhabi’s core areas, including Al Reem and Al Maryah
- End of 2025 (planned): Plans to extend services to cover most of Abu Dhabi city core with partners
The company projects fleet expansion to 1,000 robotaxis across the Middle East by 2026, with longer-term deployment targets of tens of thousands of robotaxis by 2030.
Performance Metrics and Economics
WeRide’s Abu Dhabi operations accumulated close to one million kilometers as of October 2025. The removal of the in-vehicle safety officer requirement through the latest permit allows WeRide robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi to reach financial breakeven on unit economics.
Commercial operations will begin on the Uber and TXAI platforms, with additional operational details to be announced.
About WeRide
WeRide operates autonomous vehicles in over 30 cities across 11 countries and holds autonomous driving permits in seven markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the U.S. The company provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4 through its WeRide One platform, serving mobility, logistics, and sanitation sectors. WeRide appeared on Fortune’s 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.
Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!
