Uber launches fully driverless taxi in Abu Dhabi
Uber and WeRide have launched a pilot program featuring a fully driverless taxi service in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The uniqueness of the service lies in the complete absence of a driver inside the vehicle—there isn’t even a safety operator. This marks a new step in the development of autonomous passenger transportation.
The service, which has been in development since December 2024, is currently available only on Yas Island, a popular tourist district of Abu Dhabi, covering an area of about 12 square miles. Over the next five years, the companies plan to expand it to 15 major cities worldwide, including several European cities.
The service uses WeRide GXR vehicles, built on the Farizon SuperVan model from Geely. Each vehicle is equipped with more than 20 sensors and cameras placed both inside and outside the body.
To use the service, customers must:
• Order a ride under the UberX or Uber Comfort categories.
• Enable the “Autonomous” option before searching for a vehicle.
Despite the launch, the number of autonomous vehicles remains limited for now. The success of this pilot project will form the basis for expanding the service area in Abu Dhabi and launching similar services in other international markets.
ORIENT
