Uber Launches Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi with WeRide
Uber has partnered with Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. This marks Uber's first international autonomous vehicle offering, expanding its portfolio of partnerships with AV companies like Wayve, Serve Robotics, Aurora Innovation, and Waabi. The initial rollout will be limited, covering routes between Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and Zayed International Airport, with plans for future expansion. Related: Essential HyperOS Updates for Xiaomi Devices
Initially, each vehicle will have a human safety operator, but a fully driverless commercial launch is planned for 2025. Uber and WeRide will collaborate with local Tawasul Transport for fleet operations. This move comes despite investor concerns about Uber's ability to compete with companies like Waymo and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle space. See also: Xiaomi 15 Ultra Launch On Track
Waymo's recent announcement of a robotaxi service in Miami caused Uber's stock to drop nearly 10%. However, the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in the ride-hail industry is still years away. Uber's strategy may be to position itself as a platform connecting riders with these robotaxis. Related: One UI 7: Samsung's Android 15 Update