by LU Keyan

On the wide boulevards of Yas Island, a driverless robotaxi fitted with rooftop lidar moves through traffic without a safety driver. Ordered via a mobile app, the vehicle operates as part of plans to deploy more than 1,000 fully autonomous cars in the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi has emerged as a key overseas testing ground for Chinese autonomous driving companies.

In November 2025, WeRide began Level 4 driverless robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Uber, making the city the first outside the United States to host unmanned robotaxis on Uber's platform. Level 4 autonomy allows vehicles to operate without human drivers under defined conditions. Chinese peers including Momenta and Pony.ai have also announced commercial driverless deployments in the Middle East.

For Chinese autonomous driving firms moving toward large-scale rollout, the region offers a rare combination of regulatory support and commercial viability, with Abu Dhabi often serving as the first overseas stop.

One advantage is capital. Ali Al Hashmi, a cluster expert at Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) program, told Jiemian News that the city's financial strength helps attract global talent and build infrastructure for advanced technologies.

Policy coordination is another draw. Al Hashmi said government support spans the full lifecycle of a project, from early development to commercial deployment. "If the technology is still in R&D, we help find partners. If it's ready for deployment, we coordinate with regulators," he said.

WeRide's Middle East general manager ZHAN Liangfei said Abu Dhabi stands out for clear policy backing, more straightforward commercial pathways and fewer social constraints.

Unlike cities that restrict robotaxis to designated test zones, Abu Dhabi allows vehicles to operate in real urban environments. The government has set up a cross-department task force, the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), bringing together police, municipal and fire authorities to coordinate operational planning.

Business economics also favor the emirate. Higher fares, lighter congestion and lower energy costs mean robotaxi operators can reach breakeven with smaller fleets. WeRide estimates that while cities such as Beijing or Guangzhou may require thousands of vehicles to achieve per-car profitability, around 200 vehicles could be sufficient in Abu Dhabi.

Local taxis typically complete about 30 trips a day, while WeRide's robotaxis already handle dozens. The company has demonstrated the ability to operate robotaxis around the clock in Chinese cities.

Labor considerations play a role as well. Taxi driving in Abu Dhabi is dominated by expatriate workers, easing pressure on local employment as autonomous vehicles are introduced.

"At the beginning, the biggest hurdles were getting approval, proving that fully driverless operations could work, and defining where we were allowed to run," Zhan said. "In Abu Dhabi, those hurdles have been cleared one by one."

Challenges remain. Summer temperatures often exceed 40°C and can top 50°C, affecting sensor performance and battery stability. Operational adjustments have also been required, as police fleets include high-performance sports cars and school buses range from minibuses to vehicles resembling ambulances. WeRide said meeting local regulatory requirements required changes to how its vehicles identify and interact with emergency and special-purpose vehicles.

The appeal of Abu Dhabi extends beyond robotaxis. At the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW) at the end of last year, about 30% of exhibitors were from China, including eVTOL manufacturers and automakers expanding overseas.

In 2025, several Chinese eVTOL companies secured large Middle East orders. UAE-based Autocraft committed US$1 billion to buy 350 E20 aircraft from TCab Tech, while ARIDGE, formerly known as Xpeng AeroHT, won an order for 600 flying cars in Dubai

Abu Dhabi's push into advanced mobility is part of a broader effort to diversify beyond hydrocarbons. Under its Vision 2030 strategy, launched in 2008, the emirate aims to raise the contribution of non-oil sectors to more than 60% of GDP.

Backed by abundant capital, the city has invested in experimental projects such as Masdar City, a purpose-built low-carbon district powered by renewable energy and reliant on autonomous transport.

Abu Dhabi has also encouraged foreign companies to localize parts of their operations, including component assembly. Zhan said talks with local authorities are ongoing, though large-scale local manufacturing remains limited by the current size of the robotaxi market and gaps in the regional supply chain.

"With the right partners and conditions, it can be done," Zhan said.