In a move that has sent shockwaves through the transportation industry, Chinese tech giant WeRide has teamed up with Uber to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, just a year after their initial rollout. This momentous "milestone",as they call it,opens the floodgates to a driverless future, with no human safety operator in sight, raising eyebrows and expectations alike.

The robotaxi service will kick off on Yas Island, a flashy tourist hotspot renowned for its high-octane Formula 1 races. This picturesque setting is designed to entice both locals and tourists with a futuristic flair.

Riders will have the option to choose Uber Comfort or UberX, potentially landing in a WeRide robotaxi. But wait, there's more! The Uber app features a tantalizing "Autonomous" option for those craving a purely driverless ride. Yes, the excitement is palpable, as Uber and WeRide join forces with fleet operator Tawasul to optimize this 'revolutionary' experience.

After securing a federal permit from the UAE, WeRide is not just stopping here; plans are already underway to expand its driverless services throughout Abu Dhabi's bustling city center. 

Uber's head of autonomous mobility, Sarfraz Maredia, proclaimed this launch a "historic transportation milestone," making it the first driverless AV deployment outside the U.S. or China. This statement paints Abu Dhabi as a frontrunner in the global race toward autonomous transport. 

Over the last two years, Uber has forged partnerships with a staggering 20 autonomous vehicle tech firms across various continents, from the U.S. to Europe. The recent launch of a robotaxi service in Austin alongside Waymo raises the stakes even higher. With a successful reach into the Middle East via WeRide, Uber is eyeing expansion into other cities.

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has set an audacious goal of deploying autonomous vehicles in at least 10 cities by 2026. The company also intends to extend operations to 15 cities in the Middle East and Europe, with aspirations of scaling to thousands of robotaxis. 

The arrival of driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi may signal a leap in technology, but it also highlights the global trend of increasingly bold,and at times questionable,autonomous transportation solutions. As cities rush to embrace these innovations, one thing is certain: we are on the brink of a transportation revolution, whether we are ready for it or not.