Nvidia-Supported WeRide, Uber Aim for Fully Driverless Operations in Abu Dhabi
WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving company, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining permission to operate fully driverless vehicles in Abu Dhabi. This announcement led to a more than 5% increase in the company’s shares on Monday morning. Notably, WeRide is backed by Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence and autonomous technology.
WeRide and Uber Join Forces
This development follows WeRide’s collaboration with American ride-hailing giant Uber. The partnership aims to deploy “hundreds of thousands” of new autonomous vehicles on the roads. WeRide and Uber previously launched a driverless robotaxi service in Saudi Arabia in late October.
Driverless Operations in Abu Dhabi
The new permission allows WeRide and Uber to begin operating their driverless service in Abu Dhabi without an on-board safety driver. Previously, their service, which began in December 2024, required a human safety officer in the vehicle.
WeRide has operated a robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi since 2021, working with TXAI, a local autonomous taxi service. The company plans to expand its operations to cover most of Abu Dhabi’s central area by the end of this year.
Future Plans in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, the robotaxi service is still dependent on having a safety operator. However, both WeRide and Uber expect to advance towards fully driverless operations in the near future.
Competition in the Autonomous Driving Market
As WeRide makes strides in driverless technology, competition is intensifying in the autonomous driving sector. Key competitors include:
- Tesla (TSLA)
- Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (GOOGL)
- Xpeng (XPEV), a Chinese rival
Currently, WeRide operates 700 driverless taxis worldwide and supplies its technology to several Chinese automakers, including GAC Motor and Chery Automobile.
Conclusion
The advancements made by WeRide and Uber in Abu Dhabi signal a significant shift towards fully autonomous vehicle operations. As the market evolves, these companies are positioning themselves to play a leading role in the future of transportation.
