Uber advances self-driving taxis in UAE through partnership with WeRide

At the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 held in Washington, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi discussed the company’s latest advancements in self-driving vehicle initiatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Highlighting Uber’s strategic partnership with Chinese autonomous vehicle technology firm WeRide, Khosrowshahi underlined the significant progress made in deploying driverless car services across the region.

This collaboration began with the launch of autonomous vehicle services in Abu Dhabi last year, particularly on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, two prominent areas within the emirate. Building on this initial success, earlier in 2025, Uber and WeRide expanded their joint operations to Dubai, working in partnership with the city’s Roads and Transport Authority. The deployment of autonomous taxis in Dubai marks a key step in Uber’s regional strategy to integrate self-driving technology in markets that are technologically progressive and supportive of innovation.

Khosrowshahi elaborated on the challenges faced by the automotive and self-driving sectors on a global scale, especially the competitive landscape shaped by Chinese manufacturers. Against this backdrop, Uber’s UAE operations stand out as a practical example of the company’s evolved autonomous vehicle strategy since its 2018 transition. After a fatal accident involving one of Uber’s self-driving vehicles in Arizona in 2018, the company exited its internal autonomous development by selling its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) to focus on partnerships, rather than direct research and development.

“The WeRide partnership in the UAE represents Uber’s newer, less capital-intensive partnership model, allowing the company to offer autonomous rides without bearing the enormous R&D costs and regulatory risks,” the analysis in Tech in Asia explained. This model aligns with Khosrowshahi’s broader financial objectives of reaching profitability, enabling Uber to selectively deploy self-driving vehicles in markets known for their favourable regulatory environments and technological openness.

In the UAE context, these factors are particularly advantageous. The region’s streamlined and progressive regulatory framework facilitates smoother deployment of autonomous services, contrasting with more complex markets where enforcement and driver unions pose significant hurdles. Moreover, the economic proposition remains a core driver behind Uber’s push into autonomous vehicles. Ride-sharing’s largest cost component—driver remuneration—represents roughly 80% of Uber’s per-mile expenses, and transitioning to self-driving technology promises to substantially lower operating costs in the long term.

Despite the progress, Khosrowshahi acknowledged that the current autonomous taxis still require human safety operators. This approach, while not fully eliminating driver-related expenses, offers crucial operational insights for Uber and its partners regarding maintenance costs, vehicle utilisation rates, and consumer acceptance in real-world scenarios. These learnings, gathered in the UAE’s affluent urban environments, could accelerate Uber’s long-term goal of scaling fully driverless operations worldwide.

Khosrowshahi also shared some personal perspectives, noting that while he owns a Tesla and occasionally uses its self-driving capabilities, Uber maintains a dual-track strategy. Human drivers remain integral to the company’s operations, with more than five million drivers worldwide generating over 90% of Uber’s current revenue. The gradual integration of autonomy is designed to complement—not replace—the existing driver workforce during the transition period.

The phased rollout in specific locations like Saadiyat Island and Yas Island not only minimises disruption among Uber’s global driver base but also provides the company essential expertise in managing a mixed fleet of human-driven and autonomous vehicles. Khosrowshahi’s remarks underline a decade-long vision where autonomous technology progressively augments ride-sharing services without immediate mass displacement of drivers.

Overall, Uber’s UAE partnership initiative reflects a significant pivot in its autonomous vehicle strategy, emphasising collaboration over in-house development, targeted geographical deployment, and a balanced approach between technological innovation and incumbent driver engagement. These developments place the UAE at the forefront of Uber’s ongoing exploration into the economics and operation of self-driving mobility solutions.

Source: Noah Wire Services