Abu Dhabi Expands Self-Driving Taxi Service to New Islands

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi is taking big steps to make travel smarter and easier. The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has announced that self-driving taxi services will now be available on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. This move is part of Abu Dhabi’s smart transport plan and shows how the city is using technology to help people move around safely and easily.

What Are Self-Driving Taxis?

Self-driving taxis, also called autonomous vehicles, are cars that can drive by themselves using smart systems like cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence. People can book these taxis through the Uber app, just like a normal taxi, but there is no human driver inside. These cars are controlled by advanced software created by WeRide, a world leader in self-driving technology.

Why Al Reem and Al Maryah?

These two islands are busy places in Abu Dhabi. They have tall buildings, offices, homes, and shopping areas. That means lots of people and traffic. These busy roads are a perfect place to test and show how well self-driving cars can work in real life. The new taxis will help more people move easily through these crowded areas without needing to drive themselves.

Jennifer Li from WeRide said,

“These areas are perfect for showing how smart our cars are. We want to reach more people and help make travel easier in cities like Abu Dhabi.”

Smart Plans for the Future

This project is part of a big plan to make 25% of all trips in Abu Dhabi happen using smart transport by the year 2040. This means that one out of every four trips will be done using smart cars, buses, or other tech-based ways of travel.

Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said,

“We want Abu Dhabi to be a city where travel is safe, smart, and good for the environment. These new self-driving taxis are a big part of that plan.”

Where Are the Taxis Already Running?

The smart taxis first started working in places like Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. They are also driving to and from Zayed International Airport. Now, with the addition of Al Reem and Al Maryah, about half of Abu Dhabi’s important areas are covered by this service.

Uber has been helping to offer these rides to people in the city since December 2024. Since then, the number of smart taxis has grown three times. More areas in Abu Dhabi will soon be added as the service grows.

Mohamad Jardaneh from Uber said,

“People in Abu Dhabi are really liking this new way to travel. Just like we helped people use electric cars before, now we’re helping them try self-driving ones.”

Working Together for Smart Travel

This project is the result of many groups working together. The government is leading the plan, while companies like WeRide, Uber, Space42, and Tawasul Transport are helping to make it happen. This teamwork is helping Abu Dhabi become a top city for smart mobility in the Middle East.

WeRide now has 44 self-driving vehicles running in Abu Dhabi. This is their biggest group of cars outside the USA and China. That shows how much trust and support Abu Dhabi has given to this new kind of transport.

Why This Is Important

Abu Dhabi is showing the world how technology can help solve traffic problems and make life better. By using clean and smart cars, the city is not only helping the environment but also making travel easier and safer for everyone.

The city’s goal is to create a place where buses, taxis, bikes, and cars all work together using smart systems. This makes it easy for people to get where they need to go, without wasting time or causing pollution.

With the launch of self-driving taxis on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, Abu Dhabi is leading the way in smart travel. This is just the beginning. Soon, more areas will have these smart taxis, giving more people a chance to try the future of transport. With strong support from the government and help from top global tech companies, Abu Dhabi is building a city that is ready for tomorrow