Uber expects to have almost 200 fully driverless vehicles operating in the UAE by the end of 2026, giving the Emirates around 29% of its projected global autonomous fleet of roughly 700.
The US ride-hailing company set out the target alongside its third-quarter results on 4 November. It also aims to have more than 2,000 driverless vehicles on its platform by the end of 2027, split broadly evenly between the US and international markets.
WeRide, Baidu’s Apollo Go and Pony.ai already run fully driverless services through the Uber app. WeRide and Uber began fare-charging robotaxi operations in Dubai’s Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah districts in March, after the Roads and Transport Authority granted a driverless trial permit in February. The pair have committed to deploying at least 1,200 robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Dubai aims to shift a quarter of all trips to autonomous modes by 2030.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer