Expanding autonomous vehicle “Robotaxi” services in Abu Dhabi

The Integrated Transport Center, affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, announced the expansion of autonomous vehicle (Robotaxi) services to include new areas throughout the emirate, under the supervision of the Smart Autonomous Systems Council, in a step that reflects the emirate’s ongoing efforts to enhance the smart mobility system and support its goals in sustainable transportation.

This announcement came during the activities of the seventh edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SIMTEX 2026), which was held recently, and which specializes in smart self-propelled systems technologies.

The center said in a recent announcement that this expansion comes in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision for smart and autonomous transportation, and within a comprehensive strategy that aims to provide safe and effective future transportation solutions that contribute to improving the efficiency of the transportation network and reducing carbon emissions, in addition to enhancing the quality of life for all members of society.

He stated that this service was launched in 2021 and includes Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem and Al Mariah Islands, and Zayed International Airport. The scope of robotaxi operation will be expanded to include new areas characterized by their lively activity and population density, such as Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan, in addition to launching new routes linking the Abu Dhabi Corniche and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which will provide broader smart transportation options for residents and visitors, and enhance their benefit from self-driving services in the emirate.

WeRide and Uber, in cooperation with the local operator Tawasul, operate the service commercially in accordance with approved permits.

The center confirmed that the next phase will witness the expansion of the fleet of autonomous vehicles to keep pace with the increasing demand and support the rapid growth of the service, ensuring enhanced operational readiness and raising performance efficiency.

He explained that the service has witnessed a growing demand since its launch, achieving a growth in the number of trips by approximately 150% during the year 2025, as a result of previous operational expansions and the high level of user confidence in the smart technologies adopted in operation, while the safety rate of these vehicles reached 99.9%.

The Integrated Transport Center, in cooperation with the Intelligent Autonomous Systems Council and developing partners, continues to work to enhance the infrastructure supporting autonomous driving solutions, by developing monitoring and control systems, enhancing advanced communication networks, and creating a safe and reliable operating environment for autonomous vehicles.