Uber and WeRide Launch Autonomous Mobility Service in Abu Dhabi
December 06 2024 - 3:00AM
Business Wire
- Launch represents the first time autonomous vehicles are
available on the Uber platform outside of the U.S.
- Marks the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the U.S.
and China.
- WeRide vehicles will be available for eligible Uber trips in
key areas, including Al Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to
and from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
- Tawasul will be the main fleet operator for WeRide vehicles on
the Uber platform, providing fleet management services.
- Program supported by the Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre
(Abu Dhabi Mobility)
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), the world’s largest
mobility and delivery technology platform, and WeRide (NASDAQ:
WRD), the world’s first publicly listed Robotaxi company and a
global leader in autonomous driving technology, have announced the
launch of their ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi.
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the full release here:
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Uber and WeRide launch autonomous
mobility service in Abu Dhabi (Photo: Business Wire)
The launch represents the first time autonomous vehicles (AVs)
are available on the Uber platform outside of the United States, as
well as the largest commercial robotaxi service outside the U.S.
and China.
The service, supported by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu
Dhabi Mobility), marks a key step in making AVs part of everyday
life in the region. Tawasul Transport, a leading UAE national
transport company, will act as the fleet operator.
Starting today, Uber riders in Abu Dhabi requesting UberX or
Uber Comfort may be matched with a WeRide AV for qualifying trips.
The service will be available in key areas, between Saadiyat
Island, Yas Island, and routes to and from Zayed International
Airport, with plans to expand the operating territory in the
future.
At initial launch, each AV will have a safety operator present
to ensure a secure and reliable experience for riders and
pedestrians, laying the groundwork for a fully driverless
commercial service planned for later in 2025.
Uber riders in Abu Dhabi who are excited about riding in an
autonomous vehicle can increase their chances of being matched with
a WeRide AV by opting in via the Ride Preferences section of their
Uber app under Settings.
Noah Zych, Uber’s Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and
Delivery Operations, said: “We’re thrilled to launch our
partnership with WeRide, and receive the support of Abu Dhabi’s
Integrated Transport Centre. As we take this next step in Abu
Dhabi, we are excited to build on the strength of the Uber
platform, helping our partners make autonomous vehicles a part of
everyday life.”
Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of
International Business at WeRide, highlighted the Company’s
commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the service,
stating: “WeRide prioritizes passenger and pedestrian safety
through rigorously validated autonomous driving technology. As the
first publicly listed Robotaxi company, WeRide has demonstrated its
commitment to safety through over 1,800 days of public operational
experience, setting new benchmarks for autonomous vehicle
performance.”
Safety remains a top priority in the launch of this service.
WeRide's safety approach aligns with Uber's Safety Guidelines for
all autonomous vehicle partners operating on the Uber platform, and
we continue to monitor safety performance after deployment.
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We
started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to
a ride at the touch of a button? More than 52 billion trips later,
we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to
be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities,
Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new
possibilities.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous
driving industry, as well as the first publicly listed Robotaxi
company. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective and
highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous
driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing a vast
majority of transportation needs across a wide range of use cases
on the open road, including in the mobility, logistics, and
sanitation industries. WeRide earned a prestigious position among
the top ten on Fortune Magazine’s “2023 Change the World” list and
was named to Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list. For more
information, please visit https://www.weride.ai.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241204047443/en/
Uber press@uber.com
WeRide pr@weride.ai
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