On November 10, leading autonomous driving technology company WeRide (HKEX: 00800, NASDAQ: WRD) announced it has officially received approval from the UAE federal government to launch fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. This marks the world's first city-level L4 autonomous driving commercial license issued outside the U.S., signifying a new phase for WeRide's driverless Robotaxi operations in the Middle East.

(WeRide Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi)

Under the license granted on October 31, WeRide can operate Robotaxi services commercially without in-car safety supervisors. The service will initially launch in Abu Dhabi via Uber and TXAI platforms, with further operational details to be announced soon. The approval was granted by the UAE Cabinet’s Regulations Lab, an agency responsible for evaluating innovative projects that drive future economic growth.

As early as July 2023, WeRide obtained the UAE’s first autonomous driving road-test license, allowing nationwide testing and operations on public roads under regulatory compliance across emirates. This was the Middle East’s—and the world’s—first national-level, full-coverage autonomous driving permit.

Securing two of the UAE’s highest-level autonomous driving licenses reflects the UAE Cabinet’s strong trust in WeRide’s technological capabilities, built through rigorous long-term evaluations and continuous oversight.

Since 2021, WeRide and TXAI have collaborated on Robotaxi public operations in Abu Dhabi. In December 2024, WeRide partnered with Uber to launch a Robotaxi ride-hailing project in Abu Dhabi, forming the largest commercial Robotaxi fleet outside the U.S. and China. By July 2025, the service expanded to cover nearly half of Abu Dhabi’s core urban areas, including Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island. By the end of 2025, WeRide and its partners aim to cover most of Abu Dhabi’s key districts, such as Khalifa City, Masdar City, and downtown Abu Dhabi.

As of October 2025, WeRide’s Robotaxis have logged nearly 1 million kilometers in Abu Dhabi. With the latest fully driverless license eliminating the need for safety operators, WeRide’s Robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi are expected to achieve per-vehicle profitability.

Starting Q2 2025, WeRide conducted fully driverless Robotaxi tests in Abu Dhabi to validate system reliability ahead of commercial deployment, working closely with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to meet strict safety and regulatory requirements.

This milestone license also strengthens WeRide’s foundation for scaling in the Middle East. The company plans to expand its regional Robotaxi fleet to 1,000 vehicles by 2026 and tens of thousands by 2030.

(WeRide Robotaxi in Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi’s core area)