By Dubai has taken a significant leap toward autonomous urban transport with the official launch of the WeRide Robotaxi public service in partnership with Uber—marking a major milestone in smart mobility for the region. The service, which began operations on December 12, 2025, allows riders to hail a self-driving Robotaxi through the “Autonomous” option on the Uber app in selected parts of the city, including popular districts such as Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Uber
The deployment comes as part of a broader collaboration between Chinese autonomous driving developer WeRide, Uber Technologies, Inc., and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This initiative aligns with Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to have 25 percent of journeys in the emirate completed by autonomous vehicles by 2030—a cornerstone of the city’s vision for safer, greener, and more efficient urban mobility
How the Robotaxi Service Works?
Riders can now book a Robotaxi directly through Uber by selecting the new “Autonomous” service category in the app. The vehicles are part of WeRide’s advanced autonomous fleet, operated on Uber’s global platform by fleet management partner Tawasul. Initially, the service is being offered with a safety specialist on board, ensuring smooth journeys while still paving the way for fully driver-free operations anticipated in early 2026.
This launch builds on regulatory groundwork laid earlier in 2025, including a self-driving vehicle trial permit issued by Dubai’s RTA that enabled on-road autonomous testing and the deployment of Robotaxis within the city.
Regional and Global Context
The Dubai launch expands on WeRide and Uber’s prior success with autonomous mobility services in the United Arab Emirates. The partners first introduced Level 4 driverless Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi, another UAE emirate, setting a world precedent outside the United States for fully autonomous commercial Robotaxi rides available via a mainstream ride-hailing platform.
WeRide’s footprint in the Middle East continues to grow, with over 150 autonomous vehicles already operating in the region, including more than 100 Robotaxis. The company also plans major expansion in additional international markets under its partnership with Uber, which includes deployment in 15 more cities across multiple continents in the coming years.
Public Robotaxi services represent a new era in shared mobility—offering a cleaner, safer, and potentially more efficient alternative to traditional transport. In a city known for rapid adoption of cutting-edge technology, Dubai’s Robotaxi trial reinforces the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in autonomous transport. With expanding services and planned full driverless operations on the horizon, residents and visitors alike could soon experience next-generation mobility as a normal part of urban life.
