Uber has teamed up with China's WeRide to introduce autonomous vehicle rides in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Initially, the robotaxis will have a human driver to ensure a safe and reliable experience for both riders and pedestrians, the company said. This marks an important step in Uber’s push toward autonomous transportation.
The self-driving vehicle fleet in Abu Dhabi is part of Uber’s expanding ecosystem of autonomous vehicles and delivery robots. "We are committed to shaping the future of transportation, and our partnership with Uber is a big step toward making autonomous mobility available globally," WeRide said.
After discontinuing its own self-driving car project in 2020, Uber shifted its focus to becoming a platform for autonomous vehicle operators. Uber has formed partnerships with other companies like Cruise, Waymo, Motional, and Avride for self-driving cars, and Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for delivery robots.
"By integrating autonomous vehicles from different operators into our platform, we aim to provide customers with more innovative mobility options," Uber said.
The service is expected to generate interest from both residents and tourists in Abu Dhabi, offering them a chance to experience this groundbreaking technology. As the service expands, Uber and WeRide will collect data to improve their autonomous systems, ensuring safety and efficiency in future deployments. The long-term goal is to launch a fully driverless service by late 2025.
Abu Dhabi is now the first city outside the US to experience Uber’s self-driving taxis. The service operates in key locations such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport. The collaboration between Uber, WeRide, and Abu Dhabi’s Tawasul Transport, supported by the Integrated Transport Centre, ensures a smooth and safe rollout.
While a safety operator will be present in the vehicle initially, Uber users in Abu Dhabi may be matched with a WeRide autonomous vehicle on routes within the service area. Simply choose your ride preferences in the Uber app, and you'll see upfront pricing similar to UberX and Uber Comfort. Once your vehicle is dispatched, you can unlock it and start your ride all through the familiar Uber app.
This partnership is set to revolutionize urban mobility in Abu Dhabi. Next time you open your Uber app in the city, why not try a ride into the future?
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