Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Witnesses Launch Of Innovative Autonomous Mobility Service In Abu Dhabi

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, has witnessed the introduction of an autonomous mobility service on Uber. This initiative, in partnership with WeRide, a leader in autonomous driving technology, aims to provide smart mobility solutions using self-driving vehicles in Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport.

Uber passengers in Abu Dhabi can now select an autonomous WeRide vehicle for certain trips when booking UberX or Uber Comfort services. Initially available in specific areas, there are plans to extend the service to other regions within Abu Dhabi. During this initial phase, a safety operator will be present in each vehicle to ensure a secure experience for passengers and pedestrians.

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The Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) guides this initiative. Tawasul Transport will operate the WeRide fleet on the Uber platform with support from the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility). This launch strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in intelligent transportation systems and autonomous vehicles.

Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, stated that this initiative underscores Abu Dhabi's dedication to advancing sustainable mobility solutions under SASC's guidance. "The introduction of this new, cutting-edge service confirms that the future of transportation is no longer an ambition but a tangible reality in Abu Dhabi," he said.

Ghena Jbour, General Manager of Tawasul Transport, expressed commitment to aligning with Abu Dhabi's vision by embracing technological advancements in artificial intelligence and smart mobility through partnerships with Uber and WeRide. "This project reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a leader in innovation in smart and sustainable mobility and artificial intelligence," she noted.

Dr Abdulla Al Ghafli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), remarked on the significance of this step towards enhancing transportation through advanced technologies. "We are confident that using a smart transport service, such as self-driving vehicles, will offer passengers a unique and safe experience," he said.

Future Prospects

Noah Zych, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations at Uber, expressed excitement about partnering with WeRide and receiving support from 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," he stated.

Jennifer Li from WeRide highlighted their focus on safety through validated autonomous driving technology. "WeRide prioritises passenger and pedestrian safety through rigorously validated autonomous driving technology," she said. As a publicly listed Robotaxi company with over 1,800 days of public operational experience, WeRide sets new benchmarks for autonomous vehicle performance.

This initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of promoting innovation by integrating artificial intelligence across key sectors. It also contributes significantly to accelerating sustainable transportation solutions in the region while improving citizens' quality of life through smart solutions.

With inputs from WAM