Uber and WeRide have reached a significant milestone in their autonomous vehicle endeavors by officially launching a driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. The commercial robotaxi service, initially introduced a year ago, has now eliminated the need for a human safety operator, marking a step forward in autonomous transportation technology.
The service, which will operate without a human driver, is now accessible to the public and will commence operations on designated routes within Yas Island, a prominent tourist destination known for hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 racing circuit.
Uber riders opting for Uber Comfort or UberX in Abu Dhabi may be matched with a WeRide robotaxi. To increase the likelihood of being assigned a fully autonomous vehicle, passengers can select the ‘Autonomous’ option within the Uber app. Collaborating with fleet operator partner Tawasul, Uber and WeRide aim to enhance the driverless ride-sharing experience.
This development comes after WeRide obtained a federal permit from the United Arab Emirates to conduct fully autonomous robotaxi operations. The companies plan to expand their driverless services to cover more areas in Abu Dhabi’s city center, showcasing a step in autonomous vehicle deployment beyond the U.S. and China.
Source: TechCrunch