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Uber and WeRide launch robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi : Ride-hail giant Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company WeRide have launched a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. The launch marks Uber’s first international autonomous vehicle offering. Uber has been snatching up partnerships with autonomous vehicle companies across sectors, including ride-hail, delivery, and trucking. Other partners include Wayve, Serve Robotics, Aurora Innovation, Waabi, and others. Still, investors are wary that incumbents like Uber won’t be able to compete with the companies building the technology, like Waymo and potentially Tesla. On Thursday, Uber’s stock dropped nearly 10% after Waymo announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Miami – this despite the fact that a true autonomous vehicle-flavored disruption to the ride-hail industry will take years, and that Uber may be one of the apps where riders end up connecting to those robotaxis. https://lnkd.in/d5sJ7zYi

Uber and WeRide introduce autonomous mobility service in #AbuDhabi Noah Zych, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery operations, said, “We’re thrilled to launch our partnership with #WeRide, and receive the support of 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, helping our partners make autonomous vehicles a part of everyday life.” Jennifer Li, chief financial officer and head of international business at WeRide, said, “WeRide prioritizes passenger and pedestrian safety through rigorously validated autonomous driving technology. As the first publicly listed #robotaxi company, WeRide has demonstrated its commitment to safety through over 1,800 days of public operational experience, setting new benchmarks for autonomous vehicle performance.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eeVJwvUr #AutonomousVehicles #AV #SelfDriving #ADAS #AutonomousDriving #Automotive #AutomotiveIndustry #Transportation #Technology #FutureMobility #Sustainability #AVTExpoStuttgart #AVTExpoCA #ukimediaevents

Uber is offering autonomous vehicle rides outside the US for the first time. It is doing so with Chinese AV developer WeRide in the U.A.E. WeRide shares are now publicly traded in the US on Nasdaq. Uber has to prove its worth in a universe where autonomous vehicle developers can enhance or challenge its mobility service. More at CNBC - https://lnkd.in/g_yCPcvV

#ROBOTAXIS: Uber and WeRide collaborate to bring AVs to the Uber app A partnership between WeRide and Uber means WeRide’s autonomous vehicles will be integrated into the Uber platform, beginning in the #UnitedArabEmirates. Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide, said, “Together, we aim to combine our collective experience and expertise to deliver much-needed, affordable, sustainable and safe mobility solutions to a global audience.” Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said, “We look forward to working with leading AV companies like WeRide to help bring the benefits of autonomous technology to cities around the world.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eJ42jNTs #AutonomousVehicles #AV #SelfDriving #ADAS #AutonomousDriving #Automotive #AutomotiveIndustry #Transportation #Technology #FutureMobility #Sustainability #AVTExpoStuttgart #AVTExpoCA #ukimediaevents

Exciting news in the world of mobility! Uber and WeRide have launched a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step in the global race for autonomous vehicles. This service not only enhances transportation options on Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, and routes to the airport but also ushers in a new era of innovation in the Middle East. As we witness the blend of cutting-edge technology and favorable regulatory environments, this partnership sets a precedent for how autonomous mobility could expand globally. While Uber relies on strategic collaborations instead of developing proprietary tech, this move may redefine competition against giants like Waymo and Tesla. In an era where convenience meets safety, the initial implementation with human operators bridges trust for consumers. What remains clear is that this initiative can serve as a catalyst for AV adoption worldwide. The future of transport is here—will you embrace it?

Technology company Uber has launched its first international robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, partnering with WeRide to offer autonomous vehicle rides at UberX and Uber Comfort prices. Initially featuring safety drivers, the service aims for driverless rides by 2025, reflecting Uber's strategy to integrate autonomous vehicles globally. https://lnkd.in/eYs_h7u9

In a significant stride towards the future of transportation, Uber Technologies, Inc. and WeRide, a leading Chinese autonomous vehicle company, have launched their much-anticipated robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This partnership marks Uber's first international deployment of autonomous vehicles outside the United States, setting a new benchmark in the ride-hailing industry.

Apollo Go: BYD's new $30,000 USD driverless car just rolled out 🚗 Let the disruption of transportation commence! https://hubs.li/Q02ZWg7D0 📍"Baidu’s robotaxi division, Apollo Go, just rolled out its latest robotaxi across multiple cities in China." 📍"The RT6 is the sixth generation of Apollo Go’s driverless vehicle, which made its official debut in May 2024. It’s a purpose-built, Level 4 autonomous vehicle, meaning it’s built without the need for a human driver." 📍"With Alphabet’s Waymo operating in multiple cities in the US and Baidu deploying hundreds of vehicles in China, the world is now getting its first taste of an autonomous future." RethinkX's seminal 2017 transportation report made the business and social case for the global rise of autonomous electric vehicles, and the coming Transport-as-a-Service disruption. The convergence of electric vehicles (EVs) with autonomous technology and ride hailing will create an entirely new transportation model that we call 'Transport-as-a-Service' (or robo-taxis): https://hubs.li/Q02ZWgDj0 🚀 On-demand, autonomous electric vehicles owned by fleets, not individuals...🚀 🌍 What do you think an autonomous vehicle future will look like?

Uber to launch robotaxi in Abu Dhabi Uber to start robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. The company teamed up with Chinese autonomous vehicle developer WeRide to introduce self-driving robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi. I saw this story at CNBC and WeRide’s robotaxis, hailed via the Uber app, will include a human driver to ensure safety for passengers and pedestrians, according to Uber's announcement. The companies plan to roll out fully driverless commercial services by 2025 in the region. The pilot program will cover routes between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, as well as trips to and from Zayed International Airport, per the story.  WeRide, listed on Nasdaq, holds permits for autonomous vehicle testing and operations in Dubai, China, Singapore, and the U.S., as noted on its official website. Let me note that Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO at Uber,  highlighted the company’s expanding autonomous vehicle strategy during its third-quarter earnings call in October, citing partnerships with over a dozen autonomous vehicle companies. Before expanding to the UAE, Uber was already facilitating tens of thousands of autonomous rides per month in the U.S. Despite the growth of autonomous services, analysts have flagged potential risks. James Cordwell , Analyst at Redburn Atlantic, noted in a report that autonomous vehicles could pose a "structural risk" to Uber’s core mobility business. He pointed out Alphabet-owned Waymo as both a key partner and competitor in the U.S. However, Cordwell expressed optimism about Uber’s position in the evolving autonomous market. “We believe autonomy will significantly expand the addressable market, and Uber is well positioned to aggregate autonomous vehicle providers,” he added. 

“Uber Technologies Inc. has entered into a partnership with Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide Corp. to promote self-driving taxis on Uber’s global platform, with the first deployment set to take place in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year, the two companies said Wednesday. Founded in 2017, WeRide develops autonomous driving technology and is testing or deploying it commercially in 30 cities in seven countries. In July 2023, the company was granted the United Arab Emirates’ first and only national licensefor self-driving vehicles, enabling it to test and operate its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the entire country. WeRide was backed by the China-UAE Investment Cooperation Fund in a funding round in January 2022, which gave the company a valuation of $4.4 billion.” “In July, it filed for what could be the biggest U.S. initial public offeringby a Chinese company since ride-share company Didi Global Inc.’s disastrous 2021 listing. WeRide currently operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE, where residents can access its robotaxi services through the TXAI app. With the partnership with Uber, a dedicated number of WeRide vehicles will be made available to consumers using the Uber app. Notably, the partnership excludes operations in the U.S. and Chinese markets. Uber, which has 156 million monthly active users worldwide, originally pursued in-house development of autonomous vehicles through its ATG division. However, in 2020, Uber sold ATG to Aurora, a self-driving technology company, for $4 billion. Since then, Uber has pivoted to forming strategic partnerships with external tech firms to advance its autonomous taxi ambitions.” “In May 2023, Uber partnered with Waymo, a Google subsidiary, to launch self-driving taxis in Phoenix, Arizona. That collaboration allowed Waymo’s fleet to operate through Uber’s platform. Uber has teamed up with GM’s self-driving unit, Cruise, and invested in British startup Wayve to expand its autonomous vehicle portfolio. The global race for autonomous taxis has heated up, with Tesla announcing its own robotaxi, expected to launch in October after delays. Tesla’s entry into the market has reignited competition, with CEO Elon Musk predicting operational robotaxis by 2025. Dubai, the most populous city in the UAE, unveiled a plan to make 25% of its transportation fully autonomous by 2030. Cruise signed an agreement with Dubai to test its robotaxis in the kingdom last year.”