Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, has expanded the scope of autonomous taxi services to include Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, in cooperation with WeRide, a company specializing in autonomous driving technologies, and through the Uber platform and Tawasul Transport as the local operator of this project. This expansion is part of the strategy of the Council for Intelligent Autonomous Systems.
This initiative falls within the framework of supporting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to develop an artificial intelligence-powered transportation system and enhance its position as a leading regional destination in the fields of smart mobility and innovation, as part of the Abu Dhabi Smart Transportation Strategy, which aims to create a sustainable and smart transportation environment for the emirate’s residents and visitors.
With this expansion, self-driving taxi services now cover half of Abu Dhabi’s major areas, supporting Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision to make 25% of trips in the emirate smart transportation by 2040.
The service aims to operate autonomous vehicles on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, two of Abu Dhabi’s most densely populated areas and vital hubs for the financial, residential, and commercial sectors. With their complex traffic patterns and high vehicle density, the two islands provide an ideal environment to showcase the efficiency of WeRide’s advanced technologies. This move contributes to meeting the growing demand for reliable and readily available transportation solutions, in light of the increasing traffic challenges.
This complements the autonomous taxi services currently available on Saadiyat and Yas Islands and on the roads leading to Zayed International Airport. It is part of the ongoing fleet expansion plan and the scope of the emirate’s smart mobility project.
Since the launch of this service on the Uber platform in December 2024, the fleet of autonomous taxis has tripled. The Integrated Transport Centre is currently working to expand the service to include additional areas on Abu Dhabi Island, providing broader coverage and enhancing the effectiveness of the emirate’s smart mobility system. This will create the necessary operational environment for the project’s commercial operation, achieving the strategic objectives of smart transformation in the transportation sector.
By integrating artificial intelligence technologies and sustainable mobility solutions into vital sectors, Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a leading model for Middle Eastern cities seeking to achieve smart urban development.
Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said that this expansion represents a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey towards achieving its vision of a smarter and safer transportation system. He affirmed the commitment to adopting innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance the transportation network, improve the quality of life for residents, accelerate the pace of this progress, and enhance the transportation experience for all, in cooperation with strategic partners.
“Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are both high-demand, vibrant communities and strategic gateways to Abu Dhabi,” said Jennifer Lee, CFO and Head of International at WeRide. “This expansion will allow us to reach a larger segment of passengers, showcase advanced technologies in complex urban environments, and enhance the presence of autonomous vehicles across the emirate.”
Mohammed Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility at Uber Middle East, expressed his aspiration to make autonomous vehicles available to more people in the emirate, predicting that 2025 will be the year when autonomous vehicle technology becomes a daily reality for everyone.
It’s worth noting that Abu Dhabi has cemented its leadership position in smart transportation as the first city in the Middle East and North Africa region to commercially operate autonomous vehicles. It currently has the largest operational fleet, comprising 44 vehicles operating in several vital locations within the city.
This expansion reflects the success of Abu Dhabi’s strategic partnerships with leading global technology and transportation companies, such as WeRide, Space42, Uber, and Tawasul Transport, contributing to the development of an advanced smart mobility infrastructure.
WeRide is also a leading technology company specializing in autonomous driving technologies. It has the largest operational fleet outside the United States and China in Abu Dhabi, confirming the emirate’s position as a leading center for transportation innovation and reflecting its vision to develop a smart transportation system that supports sustainable urban development goals.
