UAE first: You can now book self-driving taxis via Uber and WeRide in Abu Dhabi

TL;DR

• Autonomous taxis now available in Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands
• Abu Dhabi is expanding its smart transport project with WeRide and Uber
• The service is growing quickly and expected to reach more areas soon

In Abu Dhabi, driverless taxis are no longer just a trial on the outskirts, they’re now running in two of the city’s busiest and most important areas: Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. These new routes mark a big step in the city’s plan to grow a smart, AI-powered transport network.

The service, which started in late 2024 with a small fleet on Saadiyat and Yas Islands, has expanded quickly. It now connects high-traffic business, residential, and financial zones with autonomous vehicles that you can hail through the Uber app. For commuters, it means a new, quieter way to get around. For the city, it’s part of a long-term effort to reduce traffic, cut emissions, and use technology to improve daily life.

Why These Islands?
Al Reem and Al Maryah aren’t just random stops. They’re some of the busiest places in the city. Packed with offices, apartment towers, and shopping centers, these islands are a real test for self-driving systems. Roads are dense, traffic is unpredictable, and people are always moving. That’s why authorities chose them, to show the tech can handle real city life, not just controlled environments.

The goal isn’t just about showcasing high-tech cars. Abu Dhabi wants to make 1 in 4 trips in the city powered by smart transport by 2040. This includes everything from autonomous taxis to electric buses, and eventually more seamless public transport options that talk to each other.

Who’s Behind the Project?
For now, the autonomous taxi fleet is still growing, but it’s much bigger than it was just a few months ago. Multiple partners are working together to run the service. The Abu Dhabi Mobility (Integrated Transport Centre), the main government body is managing the project. It's operated in partnership with WeRide, a Chinese-American tech company that specializes in autonomous driving systems. Uber is handling bookings, and local company Tawasul runs the operations on the ground.

If you order one of these cars on Uber, you might notice a few things are different. The vehicle drives itself, but some still have a safety operator on board, just in case. It won’t feel like a robot car. It’ll feel like a regular ride, just quieter, smoother, and with no small talk.

The city says these vehicles are packed with safety tools: sensors, cameras, emergency systems. And they’re being tested constantly. So far, there’s been no public safety incident related to the service.

What’s the Bigger Plan?
What’s happening in Abu Dhabi isn’t just a showcase for cutting-edge vehicles. It’s part of a wider shift happening in how cities think about transportation. Urban planning here is focused on sustainability, livability, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. That means fewer cars, more public transport, and smarter ways to connect neighborhoods.

And it’s not just Abu Dhabi. Cities around the world are experimenting with AI-powered mobility , but this city has moved faster than most. It’s now the first in the MENA region to operate a commercial fleet of autonomous taxis, with 44 vehicles on the roads and more coming soon.

What Comes Next
The city isn’t stopping here. More areas across Abu Dhabi Island are in line to receive autonomous taxi services in the coming months. Officials say this is part of a broader smart mobility push, one that connects AI with real public needs.

As the tech improves, it’s expected that these taxis will no longer need backup drivers. And if the rollout stays on track, it won’t be long before hailing a driverless ride feels as normal as taking the bus.