From manual maps to GPS, and now from manual cars to automatic cars, technology has transformed the way people travel. What once sounded like science fiction is fast becoming reality, as taxis begin to drive themselves. In the UAE, that future is already on the road.
A video circulating on social media shows blogger Rafeez Ahmed riding in a robotaxi with no human driver behind the wheel. As he records the journey, the steering wheel is seen moving on its own, smoothly navigating traffic. “This is an autonomous robotaxi here in the UAE,” he says.
During the trip, Ahmed pans his camera around the vehicle, showing the steering wheel turning on its own, braking smoothly, and stopping naturally when a pedestrian crosses the road.
View this post on InstagramAhmed (@tableeforone)
The driverless taxi service is part of a partnership between autonomous driving firm WeRide and ride-hailing giant Uber, which has launched a Level 4 fully driverless robotaxi operation in Abu Dhabi. Level 4 autonomy allows vehicles to operate independently within specific zones, handling all driving functions without human input.
Is The Robotaxi Safe?
As per a press release by Uber, Abu Dhabi is the first city outside the US to have fully driverless operations. In his clip, Ahmed said that the service was very safe.
How To Book Robotaxi?
Booking a robotaxi is just as simple as ordering a regular Uber.
Step 1: Open the Uber app
Step 2: Click on the option called “Autonomous”.
Step 3: Book the ride. The black Uber autonomous comes in – completely driverless.
How To Unlock Robotaxi And Start The Ride?
Passengers can unlock the vehicle directly through the app by tapping the “Unlock Vehicle” option.
Inside the car, a tablet mounted in the centre controls the entire ride.
One tap on the screen starts the journey, while navigation, safety alerts, and ride updates are displayed in real time.
To start the ride, there is a tablet placed in the middle of the car. Click on it, and the ride starts. The video shows the steering wheel operating on its own, taking turns, stopping, and braking like a normal human car with a person does.
The robotaxi detects traffic, people, and signals, responding much as a human driver would.
What Was The Robotaxi’s Fare?
For Ahmed’s ride, the fare ranged between AED 27 (approx. Rs 650) and AED 34 (approx. Rs 830).
Robotaxi Routes
At present, the service is available only in limited locations as part of a trial phase. Some vehicles still have safety personnel inside for monitoring, but the long-term plan is a completely driverless fleet.
A fully driverless commercial rollout in Dubai is expected in early 2026, with plans to expand across other Emirates soon after.
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