Autonomous taxi services in Abu Dhabi have been expanded to Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, marking another step in the emirate’s efforts to develop a smart, AI-powered transport network.
The expansion, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), comes in partnership with autonomous vehicle firm WeRide, ride-hailing platform Uber, and local operator Tawasul Transport.
Smart mobility push
The new areas were selected due to their dense urban traffic and growing demand for efficient transport. With this expansion, autonomous taxis now operate in nearly half of Abu Dhabi’s core districts, including existing services on Yas and Saadiyat Islands and routes connecting to Zayed International Airport.
The move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s goal of making 25% of all trips depend on smart mobility by 2040, under the broader strategy of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC).
“This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system,” said Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre.
“We are committed to innovative and sustainable solutions that improve quality of life.”
Real-world testing ground
Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, both high-density residential and commercial zones, provide a complex environment to test autonomous vehicles in real-world conditions.
The deployment builds on the success of the existing fleet, which has tripled in size since autonomous rides were introduced on the Uber platform in December 2024.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, said, “This expansion allows us to showcase our technology in complex settings and accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across Abu Dhabi.”
Uber’s Mohamad Jardaneh added, “We’re pleased to bring autonomous rides to more people in Abu Dhabi. With strong engagement since launch, 2025 is the year AV technology enters the mainstream.”
Regional leadership in AV
Abu Dhabi remains the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to commercially operate autonomous vehicles. The current fleet includes 44 driverless cars, making the city a regional leader in smart transport.
WeRide’s Abu Dhabi fleet is now its largest outside of China and the US, highlighting the emirate’s rising profile in global sustainable mobility efforts.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
