Uber has launched its first international autonomous vehicle service, a robotaxi operation, in partnership with Chinese company WeRide. The move marks a significant milestone for the ride-hail giant as it expands into new markets.
The launch is part of Uber’s efforts to partner with autonomous vehicle companies and leverage their technology to stay ahead in the industry. Other partners include Wayve, Serve Robotics, Aurora Innovation, Waabi, and others.
Despite these partnerships, investors are concerned that established players like Uber may struggle to compete with tech-savvy startups building cutting-edge autonomous vehicles. However, Uber’s stock dropped 10% after competitor Waymo announced a similar robotaxi service in Miami.
The Abu Dhabi launch will be small-scale, initially covering routes between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, as well as to and from Zayed International Airport. A human safety operator will be present in each vehicle until the fully autonomous launch planned for 2025.
Local transport company Tawasul Transport will handle fleet operations for Uber and WeRide. This partnership brings together the strengths of both companies, enabling Uber to tap into WeRide’s technology while expanding its presence in Abu Dhabi.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/06/uber-and-weride-launch-robotaxi-service-in-abu-dhabi