Abu Dhabi just made history as the first city in the UAE to have a fully autonomous fleet of robotaxis
WeRide, the autonomous vehicle pioneer, has officially hit the gas on its fully driverless Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi, making the UAE capital the first in the region to host a commercial fleet of robotaxis with no driver onboard.
As of today, you can hop into a WeRide Robotaxi and glide through Al Maryah Island (that glitzy financial hub with ADGM and swanky hotels galore) or cruise across the ever-buzzing Al Reem Island, a lifestyle hotspot stacked with sleek residences, gyms and your next brunch spot.
We're launching fully driverless #Robotaxi trial operations in Abu Dhabi — a first in the Middle East. 🇦🇪🚖 Starting this quarter, our Robotaxis will operate on public roads without a safety driver.
📍 We're also expanding coverage to Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, in addition… pic.twitter.com/HAx9DaDZ8m — WeRide.ai (@WeRide_ai) May 16, 2025
These new zones expand WeRide's driverless empire, which already covers Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and connects to Zayed International Airport – all part of the autonomous journey that began in Abu Dhabi back in 2021.
If this feels like a big moment, it is. The UAE granted WeRide the country's first national self-driving vehicle license in 2023 and in December 2024, the company teamed up with Uber to launch the region's largest robotaxi service, right here in Abu Dhabi. Today's full launch proves that Abu Dhabi is ready to lead the driverless revolution – no joystick, no drama.
Want in on the action? Commercial driverless rides are expected to roll out across more parts of the city this summer, pending regulatory green lights. So whether you're heading to a boardroom on Al Maryah or to a smoothie date on Al Reem, the ride of the future is now available on demand – minus the small talk.
Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide said: 'WeRide makes history as the first company to pilot fully driverless Robotaxis in the Middle East region, showcasing our autonomous leadership in one of the world's most dynamic urban environments.
'In parallel, we're expanding commercial service to high-demand areas like Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands – bringing smart mobility solutions to more users in the Middle East. Together, these demonstrate our technological maturity while moving us closer to mass commercialisation of Robotaxis.'
weride.ai.
More in Abu Dhabi…
Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025
From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year
It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names
Wow, look at this line-up
The 2025 concert line-up in Abu Dhabi just keeps getting better and better
So many big names coming to the capital
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
BurjX, fully home-grown digital trading platform, goes live
21 July 2025 13:11 A. SREENIVASA REDDY(ABU DHABI)A fully home-grown digital trading platform — BurjX — has gone live in the UAE after securing Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu platform, which was launched at a recent event in Abu Dhabi, allows users to trade in over 100 digital assets with seamless access through UAE bank to Aletihad on the sidelines of the launch, Omar Abbas, Co-Founder and CEO of BurjX, said: 'We were focused on building something for the UAE, for the MENA market. There are a lot of competitors entering this market, but we are building something from scratch for the UAE. We're not an exchange that's trying to enter this market and capture market share.'Highlighting the platform's user-friendly approach, Abbas added: 'Our product is tailored for both retail and institutional traders. We've made it super simple, where first-time traders can connect directly, and signup is instant. You can trade directly in any of 100 digital assets by routing dirhams from your local account.'BurjX, now officially licensed for both brokerage and custody services, aims to set a new benchmark for regulatory depth and digital asset access in the region. It is integrated with Zand Bank to offer instant dirham on-ramps, enabling users to fund accounts in seconds and begin trading immediately under ADGM's regulatory who previously co-founded Canada's leading crypto exchange NDAX, said the FSRA licence and launch with over 100 digital assets proved 'what's possible when you build with conviction from the ground up.'Co-founder and Chairman Adam Ferris, a Harvard JD/MBA graduate and former Goldman Sachs executive, said: 'This launch validates the strength of our infrastructure, the calibre of our team, and our ambition to position BurjX as a global player from day one.'BurjX is also one of the few platforms in the region licensed for both brokerage and custody, offering NASDAQ-grade execution systems, Fireblocks' MPC wallet technology, and institutional-grade infrastructure. It combines fast execution and deep liquidity with multi-layer governance and comprehensive insurance across hot and cold serve private wealth clients, BurjX has launched a dedicated Private Client Division offering bespoke OTC services and tailored digital asset solutions. As part of its governance framework, BurjX has appointed Dr Ryan Lemand — a former Binance board member and ex-Head of Risk at the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority — to its Board. With the UAE's crypto user base projected to reach nearly four million by 2026 and adoption among the highest globally, BurjX aims to become the Middle East's homegrown bridge to the global crypto economy.
Fintech News ME
2 days ago
- Fintech News ME
BurjX Becomes Fully Regulated Crypto Platform Under ADGM Framework
BurjX, a digital asset trading platform founded in the UAE, has received Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for brokerage and custody operations. With this approval, BurjX becomes a fully regulated platform offering trading in over 100 digital assets. This milestone positions it as one of the few platforms in the region licensed to provide both brokerage and custody services under ADGM's virtual asset regulatory framework. Nearly one-third of the UAE population is projected to hold crypto assets within the next year, placing the country among the highest global adoption rates. 'Our aim was to build something that reflects the future of this region: regulated, trusted, and globally competitive,' said Omar Abbas, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of BurjX, who previously co-founded NDAX, a major Canadian crypto exchange. 'Securing our FSRA licence and launching with more than 100 assets is proof of what is possible when you build with conviction from the start. We are not another imported platform entering the UAE. We are a homegrown one, built here to lead globally.' The platform allows users to convert UAE dirhams to digital assets through integration with local banking infrastructure via Zand Bank. This enables near-instant funding in AED and access to over 100 tokens, all under ADGM's regulatory oversight. BurjX is built on institutional infrastructure capable of processing over one million transactions per second. It uses Fireblocks' multi-party computation wallet technology for custody and offers insurance coverage for both hot and cold wallets. The platform is designed to serve retail and institutional users with a focus on transaction speed, security, and liquidity. For high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients, BurjX has introduced a Private Client Division. This division provides over-the-counter services, tailored execution, and dedicated client coverage. Following its official launch, BurjX plans to expand across the UAE and the wider MENA region. The company will continue to prioritise security, regulatory compliance, and accessibility as it scales its operations.
Tahawul Tech
2 days ago
- Tahawul Tech
BurjX secures FSRA License, launches trading platform with 100+ digital assets
Abu Dhabi — BurjX, the UAE-born digital asset trading platform, has officially secured its Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, for brokerage and custody activities. In a landmark achievement, BurjX becomes a fully regulated digital asset brokerage platform to offer and support trading of over 100 digital assets, setting a new standard for market access, regulatory depth, and product breadth in the region. The UAE's cryptocurrency market is projected to generate US$395.9 million in revenue in 2025, with the user base expected to reach 3.88 million by 2026. With nearly one-third of the population set to own crypto within the next year, the UAE ranks among the highest adoption rates globally. BurjX is setting the benchmark for what a regulated, homegrown platform can be. 'We came to the UAE to build something that reflects the future of this region: regulated, trusted, and globally competitive,' said Omar Abbas, Co-Founder and CEO of BurjX, who previously co-founded NDAX, Canada's leading crypto exchange. 'Securing our FSRA license and launching with 100+ assets is proof of what's possible when you build with conviction from the ground up. We're not another imported platform entering the UAE. We're a homegrown one, built here to lead globally.' 'It's rare to see a startup go live with this level of regulatory and technical execution,' said Adam Ferris, Co-Founder and Chairman, a Harvard JD/MBA graduate who previously held key roles at Goldman Sachs. 'This launch validates the strength of our infrastructure, the caliber of our team, and our ambition to position BurjX as a global player from day one.' As part of its governance framework, BurjX has appointed Dr. Ryan Lemand to its Board. A former Binance board member and ex-Head of Risk at the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), he brings deep expertise in regulation, digital assets, and institutional finance. BurjX makes it easy to go from dirhams to digital assets in seconds. Integrated with UAE banking rails through Zand Bank, users can instantly fund their accounts in AED and trade over 100 tokens within seconds, all under the oversight of ADGM's world-leading virtual asset framework. As one of the region's first true fiat-to-crypto bridges, BurjX offers frictionless access to digital markets that is secure, seamless, and proudly UAE native. BurjX combines the strength of ADGM's virtual asset regime with the speed of institutional-grade infrastructure. Built on NASDAQ-grade systems that process over 1 million transactions per second and secured by Fireblocks' MPC wallet technology, BurjX offers fast execution, deep liquidity, and secure custody on a single, unified platform. From first-time traders to institutions, every transaction is backed by multi-layer governance, comprehensive insurance across hot and cold wallets, and robust regulatory oversight. For family offices, institutions, and high-net-worth clients seeking a more bespoke experience, BurjX has launched its Private Client Division – delivering white-glove OTC services, tailored execution, dedicated relationship coverage, and access to one of the most extensive digital asset offerings in the region. Designed for sophisticated investors, it empowers them to build high-conviction, diversified portfolios with clarity, control, and confidence. With its launch now official, BurjX is entering a new phase of growth, focused on scaling across the UAE and the broader MENA region, while doubling down on its core pillars: security, simplicity, and regulatory strength. With rising adoption from retail users, growing demand from private wealth clients, and deep liquidity across 100+ assets, BurjX is positioned to be the Middle East's homegrown on-ramp to the global crypto economy.
