Uber Technologies has begun offering autonomous robotaxi rides in Dubai, launching a pilot service in the Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah neighborhoods through its partnership with Chinese autonomous‑vehicle company WeRide. The service is available on the Uber app and represents Uber’s first fully commercial autonomous deployment in the United Arab Emirates, following earlier safety‑driver‑assisted pilots in Abu Dhabi.
The Dubai launch is distinct from the Abu Dhabi pilots, which operated with safety drivers and were not considered commercial services. By contrast, the Dubai service is a commercial operation that allows riders to request a robotaxi without a human driver, marking a significant step in Uber’s strategy to expand its autonomous fleet beyond the United States and the Middle East’s capital city. The partnership with WeRide—who secured a national autonomous‑vehicle license in Abu Dhabi in 2023—provides the technology and regulatory support needed for the rollout.
Uber’s Q3 2025 earnings, released on November 4, 2025, underscored the company’s strong financial footing. Gross bookings rose 21% year‑over‑year to $49.7 billion, revenue climbed 20% to $13.5 billion, and adjusted EBITDA grew 33% to $2.3 billion. The results beat analyst expectations—revenue exceeded estimates by $0.25 billion and earnings per share of $3.11 surpassed the consensus of $0.67 by $2.44—thanks to disciplined cost management, a favorable mix of high‑margin delivery and ride‑share revenue, and continued growth in core markets. Management highlighted that the autonomous‑vehicle initiative is a key driver of long‑term value creation.
Looking ahead, Uber guided for Q4 2025 gross bookings of $52.25 billion to $53.75 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $2.41 billion to $2.51 billion, signaling confidence in sustained growth. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized that “investing in AI and autonomy is central to Uber’s future,” while CFO Prashanth Mahendra‑Rajah noted that the company’s “record profitability” is underpinned by “strong demand and disciplined spending.” WeRide’s CFO Jennifer Li added that the Dubai deployment is part of a broader plan to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis worldwide by 2030.
The launch aligns with Dubai’s transport strategy, which aims for 25% of public‑transport journeys to be driverless by 2030 and a fleet of 4,000 driverless taxis. Uber’s presence in the city positions it to capture a share of this growing market, while also demonstrating the scalability of its autonomous platform. However, the company faces regulatory headwinds in Europe—particularly around driver classification and data protection—that have tempered investor sentiment, even as analysts continue to view the autonomous initiative as a long‑term growth lever.
Overall, Uber’s entry into Dubai’s autonomous‑robotaxi market marks a milestone in its global expansion strategy. The move complements robust Q3 earnings, reinforces the company’s commitment to AI and autonomy, and positions Uber to benefit from the Middle East’s ambitious driverless‑transport agenda, while navigating regulatory challenges that could impact future deployments.
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