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WeRide and Uber Start Fully Driverless Robotaxis in Dubai

The rollout shows Dubai now permits safety‑driver‑free trips through a mass‑market app.

Overview

  • Uber riders in Dubai can now request fully driverless cars in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim after earlier trials with on‑board specialists.
  • Regulatory permits from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority cleared the shift to no safety drivers, with local operator Tawasul running the fleet and Uber handling bookings and routing.
  • WeRide said it will expand service as a long‑term commitment in Dubai, and the partners plan at least 1,200 robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with more than 200 already operating in the region.
  • In Singapore, WeRide and Grab launched free autonomous rides on fixed routes in Punggol with safety operators after tests covering over 1,000 riders and 30,000 kilometers, with a later phase moving to remote monitoring from a central control room.
  • Dubai’s push fits a city goal to make a quarter of all trips driverless by 2030, which could widen coverage and cut wait times as fleets grow.