The rollout signals the beginning of Level 4 autonomous operations in the UAE, a significant achievement made possible through close collaboration between the ITC, RegLab at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, and the Supervisory Committee for Advanced Driving Systems Testing, chaired by the Ministry of Interior. This comprehensive ecosystem of regulators, technology partners, and safety authorities has established the conditions for commercial driverless services to move from pilot testing to real-world deployment.
As part of this phase, the ITC has issued the region’s first permits for fully unmanned commercial operations. These have been granted to two operators:
• WeRide, in collaboration with Uber and Tawasul
• AutoGo–K2, operating with ApolloGo–Baidu
The permits were approved only after meeting rigorous safety and performance standards. The ITC confirmed that each operator underwent extensive on-road testing, including assessments of sensor systems, software reliability, behaviour in mixed-traffic environments, and real-time vehicle decision-making. These tests ensured readiness for autonomous operation within active urban conditions.
By October 2025, WeRide’s Robotaxis had surpassed 800,000 kilometres of autonomous driving in Abu Dhabi, with each vehicle completing up to 20 trips during a 12-hour shift. The Uber–WeRide partnership now forms the largest commercial Robotaxi service in the Middle East, covering nearly half of Abu Dhabi’s core urban area. WeRide also launched the region’s first fully driverless, Level 4 testing programme earlier in the year, marking a decisive step toward commercial maturity.
AutoGo–K2 recorded similarly rapid progress. Beginning initial deployment in July 2025, the operator secured ITC approval for unmanned Level 4 operation on Yas Island by September. Its fleet completed more than 100,000 kilometres of autonomous testing in this short period, transitioning from safety-officer oversight to passenger-seat monitoring, and ultimately to fully unmanned operation.
To maintain safety and oversight, the ITC will monitor all autonomous vehicles in real time through an advanced digital control platform. This system enables continuous tracking and immediate documentation of incidents or violations, offering a level of regulatory visibility unprecedented in the region. The platform strengthens operational governance and builds public trust in emerging driverless technologies.
Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the ITC, described the approval as a defining milestone for the Emirate. “This authorisation is a strategic milestone that cements Abu Dhabi’s status as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility,” he said. “It reflects the forward-looking vision of Abu Dhabi’s government in enabling future technologies and delivering real-world applications within a safe and efficient mobility system.”
The introduction of commercial autonomous transport marks an important chapter in Abu Dhabi’s broader transition toward a fully integrated smart mobility ecosystem. By accelerating the adoption of autonomous solutions, the city is strengthening its position as a model for safe, sustainable, and technology-enabled urban mobility.
This milestone reflects the momentum shaping the wider mobility landscape that will be showcased at the 5th Edition of EVIS Abu Dhabi co-located with EcoMobility Global (EMG), taking place on 13–14 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Source: Abu Dhabi becomes first city in region to launch commercial driverless vehicles
