WeRide and Uber Begin First Commercial Robotaxi Service in Downtown Abu Dhabi

Rhea-AI Summary

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) and Uber launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi on Feb 12, 2026, expanding routes to Corniche Road, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan.

The service now covers approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas, the fleet has quadrupled since December 2024, and WeRide operates over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East. Companies committed to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East by 2027. Public operations currently run with a vehicle specialist on-board as part of a phased move toward fully driverless service.

Positive

• Committed to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East by 2027
• Fleet quadrupled in size since December 2024
• Service now covers ~70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas
• WeRide operates over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East
• City-level fully driverless permit secured in October 2025 (first outside US)

Negative

• Public commercial operations still require a vehicle specialist on-board
• Coverage is ~70% of core areas, not yet full-city coverage

Key Figures

Coverage of core areas: 70% Middle East Robotaxis: over 200 Robotaxis Abu Dhabi hotel guests: 4.8 million guests +5 more

8 metrics

Coverage of core areas 70% Share of Abu Dhabi core areas reached by WeRide–Uber Robotaxi service

Middle East Robotaxis over 200 Robotaxis WeRide Robotaxis currently operating in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi hotel guests 4.8 million guests Hotel guests across Abu Dhabi as of 2024

Tourism growth 27% YoY increase Year-on-year increase in international visitors to Abu Dhabi hotels in 2024

Planned Robotaxis 1,200 Robotaxis Minimum deployment in Middle East targeted as soon as 2027

Target year 2027 Timeline mentioned for reaching at least 1,200 Robotaxis in Middle East

First mover advantage 4-year WeRide’s stated first mover advantage in Abu Dhabi AV deployment

UAE operations start 2021 Year WeRide began Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi

Market Reality Check

Price: $7.55 Vol: Volume 4,069,565 is rough...

normal vol

$7.55 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,069,565 is roughly in line with 20-day average 4,159,304 (relative volume 0.98). normal

Technical Shares at $7.55 are trading below the 200-day MA of $9.11 and 82.84% below the 52-week high of $44.00.

Peers on Argus

WRD fell 5.74% while several application software peers also declined (e.g., GRN...

WRD fell 5.74% while several application software peers also declined (e.g., GRND -4.17%, RNG -2.29%, ALRM -2.11%, AGYS -1.92%, NATL -0.82%). Scanner data, however, does not flag a coordinated sector momentum move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 06 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 06	Middle East expansion	Positive	+6.1%	Plan with Uber to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across key Middle East cities.
Jan 27	AI platform launch	Positive	-2.0%	Launch of WeRide GENESIS simulation platform combining physical and generative AI.
Jan 14	China app integration	Positive	+1.0%	Robotaxi booking enabled via WeChat Mini Program to broaden access in China.
Dec 12	Dubai service launch	Positive	-3.3%	Commercial Robotaxi rides launched in Dubai with Uber and RTA partnership.
Dec 04	Earnings and investment	Positive	+2.1%	Strong Q3 2025 growth and ARK Invest purchase of 858,295 ADSs disclosed.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and partnership news has produced mixed price reactions, with slightly more instances of alignment than divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, WRD has repeatedly highlighted rapid Robotaxi expansion and strong growth. A Dec 4, 2025 update showed Q3 2025 revenue of $24.0M (+144.3% YoY) and Robotaxi revenue of $5.0M (+761.0% YoY). Subsequent news covered Dubai Robotaxi launches, integration with WeChat in China, an AI simulation platform, and a plan with Uber to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in the Middle East by 2027. Today’s Abu Dhabi expansion fits this ongoing commercialization and regional scaling narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a major expansion of WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi operations, now reaching a...

Analysis

This announcement details a major expansion of WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi operations, now reaching about 70% of Abu Dhabi’s core areas and supporting a regional fleet of over 200 Robotaxis. It builds on earlier commitments to deploy at least 1,200 vehicles by 2027 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh. In context of prior rapid revenue growth and multiple launch milestones, key factors to watch include fleet utilization, regulatory progress in new cities, and any follow-on financing or partnership developments.

Key Terms

robotaxi, autonomous vehicle, autonomous, fully driverless, +2 more

6 terms

robotaxi technical

"WeRide and Uber have launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi"

A robotaxi is a self-driving vehicle designed to transport passengers without a human driver. It operates autonomously, using sensors and computers to navigate roads and pick up riders, similar to a taxi service but without a driver. For investors, robotaxis represent a potential shift in transportation, promising lower costs and new opportunities in mobility services.

autonomous vehicle technical

"marking the Emirate's first autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in its city center"

A vehicle that can navigate and operate without a person actively controlling the steering, braking and acceleration, using onboard sensors, cameras, maps and software to make driving decisions much like a robot chauffeur. Investors watch autonomous vehicles because they can reshape transportation economics—lowering labor and operating costs for fleets, creating new service and data revenues, and introducing regulatory and liability risks that can rapidly change a company's value, similar to how smartphones transformed multiple industries.

autonomous technical

"can also choose to book directly via the dedicated “Autonomous” option on the app"

Autonomous describes machines, vehicles, or systems that can perform tasks and make decisions on their own using sensors, software, and computing power, with little or no human guidance. For investors, autonomy matters because it can reduce ongoing labor costs, create new product categories, change regulatory risk, and open revenue opportunities; think of it like a self‑driving car or a factory robot that can work without a human constantly steering it.

fully driverless technical

"first Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi"

"Fully driverless" describes a vehicle that can operate and navigate entirely on its own, without any human input or oversight. It functions like an autonomous robot, using sensors and computers to drive safely through traffic and reach destinations. This level of automation matters to investors because it signals advancements in transportation technology that could transform mobility, reduce costs, and create new business opportunities.

ride-hailing technical

"WeRide and Uber launched their Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi"

A ride-hailing service is a mobile app or online platform that matches passengers with drivers who provide on-demand, paid transportation; think of it like ordering a taxi through your phone the way you order a meal. It matters to investors because these services can scale quickly, generate fees and data without owning many vehicles, and face important factors such as local rules, driver costs, and customer growth that directly affect future profits and risk.

autonomous driving technology technical

"WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and Uber Technologies"

A set of hardware and software systems that allow a vehicle to perceive its surroundings, make decisions and operate with little or no human input — think of it as a self-driving chauffeur made of sensors, cameras, maps and decision software. For investors it matters because successful deployment can cut labor and operating costs, create new revenue streams, shift liability and regulatory exposure, and change demand for manufacturers and service providers across the transportation ecosystem.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Robotaxi public operations have commenced with routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as well as in Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan
• Expanded service endorsed by Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), have launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi – marking the Emirate's first autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in its city center. With this latest downtown expansion, the WeRide-Uber service now reaches approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas, with the fleet quadrupling in size since starting operations in December 2024.

The newly expanded service operates across Khalifa City, Masdar City, Rabdan, and routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). Within the coverage area are major landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and popular hotels along Corniche Road, including Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences; InterContinental Abu Dhabi by IHG; Edition Hotel, Abu Dhabi; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi; and Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche.

WeRide's Robotaxi GXR at Grand Mosque, downtown Abu Dhabi

Starting today, riders using the Uber platform and travelling to or from the new areas may be matched with a WeRide Robotaxi GXR through UberX or Uber Comfort, and can also choose to book directly via the dedicated “Autonomous” option on the app. Public commercial operations are now underway with a vehicle specialist on-board, as part of a phased approach towards fully driverless operations. Tawasul Transport, a leading UAE national transport company, is the main fleet operator for WeRide vehicles on the Uber platform, providing fleet management services.

This expansion enhances urban connectivity, improves transport accessibility, and supports the UAE’s broader smart mobility vision. Previously, the service covered about half of Abu Dhabi’s core areas, including Al Reem, Al Maryah, Yas, and Saadiyat, as well as highway routes to and from Zayed International Airport. WeRide now has over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East.

WeRide's Robotaxi GXR on Corniche Road, downtown Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was named the top attraction in the Middle East in 2025, and a popular tourist destination on the Uber app. The expanded WeRide-Uber Robotaxi service supports Abu Dhabi’s growth as a tourism hub, with hotels across the Emirate receiving 4.8 million guests as of 2024 – a 27% year-on-year increase in international visitors. By connecting this high-demand hotel and tourism corridor with other parts of Abu Dhabi, the service highlights ITC’s confidence in the partners' ability to operate safely in complex urban environments.

This development highlights WeRide and Uber's rapid progress in the UAE, as they work to scale their Middle East operations to thousands of Robotaxis over the coming years. In February 2026, both companies committed to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East as soon as 2027, spanning Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh.

In November 2025, WeRide and Uber launched the Middle East's first Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, which started with Yas Island. The launch was enabled by WeRide's Robotaxi securing the world’s first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the US in October 2025.

WeRide Robotaxi on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

WeRide maintains a 4-year first mover advantage in autonomous vehicle deployment in Abu Dhabi, having operated Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi since 2021. In 2023, it became the first company in the UAE to receive a national license covering all types of self-driving vehicles, authorizing autonomous testing and operation on public roads across the country, subject to emirate-level approvals. In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched their Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi – the largest commercial Robotaxi service outside the US and China.

About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 40 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. 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 transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.

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 72 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.

Media Contact
pr@weride.ai

Media Contact
press@uber.com

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94b3f9ca-c8d8-41c5-ba1f-e65fa308dbc1

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8232e839-59e5-4a27-b26e-6f9dcaa036bc

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/358677a8-067c-4a9c-a5e2-60593e7b8d45

FAQ

What areas does WeRide (WRD) and Uber's downtown Abu Dhabi Robotaxi service cover as of Feb 12, 2026?

The service covers routes between Corniche Road and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and areas including Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan. According to the company, the expansion reaches approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas and includes major hotel and tourist corridors.

How many Robotaxis does WeRide (WRD) operate in the Middle East after the Feb 12, 2026 expansion?

WeRide operates over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East following the expansion. According to the company, the fleet has quadrupled in size since December 2024 as it scales commercial operations across Abu Dhabi and other markets.

Has WeRide (WRD) committed to a regional deployment target in the Middle East and what is the timeline?

Yes. According to the company, both firms committed to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East by 2027, covering Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh as they scale operations over the coming years.

Are WeRide-Uber Robotaxis in downtown Abu Dhabi fully driverless as of Feb 12, 2026?

Not yet fully driverless in downtown operations; services run with a vehicle specialist on-board. According to the company, this is a phased approach toward fully driverless operations after prior Level 4 driverless milestones.

What regulatory milestones has WeRide (WRD) achieved for Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi?

WeRide secured the world's first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the US in October 2025. According to the company, it also holds a 2023 national license authorizing autonomous testing and operation across the UAE, subject to emirate approvals.