Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 12, On November 10, Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide announced that it has received official approval from the UAE federal government to launch fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. This represents the first city-level commercial license for Level 4 autonomous driving outside the United States, marking a significant milestone for WeRide’s Robotaxi services in the Middle East.

The license, granted on October 31, authorizes WeRide to operate Robotaxi services without on-board safety operators. Initially, the service will be available through the Uber and TXAI platforms in Abu Dhabi, with further operational details to be released soon.

The approval was issued by the Regulations Lab under the UAE Cabinet Secretariat, an authority responsible for evaluating innovative projects that support future economic development. As early as July 2023, WeRide received the UAE’s first autonomous driving road testing license, allowing nationwide public road testing and operations across all vehicle types, subject to each emirate’s regulatory requirements.

Since 2021, WeRide has partnered with TXAI to conduct public Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi. In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched a Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership, forming the largest commercial Robotaxi fleet outside China and the United States. By July 2025, the service area expanded to nearly half of Abu Dhabi’s core urban districts, including Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island. By the end of 2025, operations are expected to cover most central zones, including Khalifa City, Masdar City, and downtown Abu Dhabi.

As of October 2025, WeRide’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi had accumulated nearly one million kilometers of road mileage. With the new authorization removing the requirement for in-vehicle safety operators, WeRide’s services are expected to achieve per-vehicle operational break-even.

Since the second quarter of 2025, WeRide has conducted fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi to validate system reliability ahead of commercial deployment. The company has worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to complete rigorous safety and regulatory assessments successfully.

Looking ahead, WeRide plans to expand its regional Robotaxi fleet to 1,000 vehicles by 2026, with ambitions to grow to several tens of thousands of vehicles by 2030. The company aims to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and advance the deployment of autonomous mobility solutions that provide reliable, safe, and efficient urban transportation.

This commercial launch underscores WeRide’s commitment to leading global innovation in autonomous mobility and demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s support for pioneering smart transportation solutions. The project is expected to further enhance urban mobility, reduce transportation costs, and showcase the potential of fully driverless operations in large metropolitan areas.