Uber launches driverless taxis in Abu Dhabi: autonomous rides now available on Yas Island
Uber announced the full-scale operation of its driverless taxi service in Abu Dhabi. After last year's launch with WeRide, which initially included only a safety engineer in the vehicle, residents and tourists in the Yas Island area can now request a fully autonomous vehicle through the Uber app.
What is known
The new service is available for booking under UberX or Uber Comfort tariffs, with an additional "Autonomous" option. However, this does not guarantee that a driverless car will arrive, as they are currently limited in number. The trips use five-seat WeRide GXR models, based on the Geely Farizon SuperVan electric van, equipped with over 20 sensors and cameras.
Uber claims it is the world's first city-level permit for autonomous taxis outside the USA. The service is managed by Uber along with the local company Tawasul Transport, including maintenance, charging, and logistics.
Yas Island is a tourist center in Abu Dhabi, known for the Ferrari World park and the Formula 1 circuit. The service is planned to be expanded to other areas of the city and launched in 15 more cities over the next few years.
Source: Uber
