Uber and partner Momenta will start testing robotaxis in Europe next year

Uber and its partner Momenta will start testing an autonomous ride-sharing service in Europe, beginning in Munich, Germany, in 2026. Momenta, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, will provide the self-driving technology, while Uber will contribute its ride-sharing platform. The companies chose Munich due to its strong engineering heritage, automotive ecosystem, and openness to innovation. The service will use Level 4 self-driving vehicles that can operate without a safety driver in designated areas, pending certification and approval from the German government. Uber had previously planned to build its own self-driving cars but abandoned the idea in 2020, instead opting to partner with other autonomous vehicle manufacturers. The move to test robotaxis in Europe comes as the region has been slower to adopt self-driving technology compared to the US and China, but that is starting to change with efforts from companies like Baidu and WeRide.