Driverless robotaxi services operated by Uber Technologies and WeRide officially began in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, after two weeks of conducting private trials.
The service uses Chinese company WeRide's van-type Robotaxi GXR, which is equipped with Level 4 autonomy, the penultimate step in fully autonomous driving.
Abu Dhabi is the first city outside the US to host fully driverless robotaxi operations on the Uber platform, according to the San Francisco-based company.
The Uber app, as of noon on Wednesday, shows that the service is available in parts of Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, from 8am to 10pm, depending on the route. Nearly 70 robotaxis were available.
To use the service, users have to select the new “autonomous” option on the app. Passengers can also be matched to a driverless taxi through Uber Comfort or Uber X. Both the pick-up and drop-off points must be within the operational location.
Fares are the same as Uber Comfort and Uber X, the service's two most affordable tiers. The driverless rides have several safety features, as found by The National during a test ride earlier this month.
Among the locations that the autonomous vehicles serve are key points such as Yas Mall, Galleria Mall and the Abrahamic Family House, the app shows.
WeRide's autonomous vehicles are fitted wi
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