Uber Technologies, Inc. and China-based autonomous driving technology firm Momenta are launching a significant collaboration to introduce self-driving vehicles onto Uber's platform in international markets, with Europe as the initial focus starting in early 2026.
The partnership aims to deploy Level 4 autonomous robotaxi services in European cities. Initially, these services will include safety drivers, with a clear progression towards fully autonomous operations. Momenta, founded in 2016, has developed a comprehensive suite of autonomous driving technologies, ranging from Level 2 to Level 4 capabilities. Their technology is currently integrated into approximately 400,000 vehicles through existing partnerships with automotive manufacturers.
Momenta's strategy emphasizes a data-driven "flywheel" approach, utilizing data from mass-produced vehicles to refine its algorithms and advance towards full autonomy. This strategy, combined with a dual-track product approach focusing on both assisted driving (Mpilot) and full autonomy (MSD), positions Momenta as a key player in the autonomous driving sector. The company has also developed its own chips, indicating a move towards integrated hardware-software solutions.
Munich, Germany, has been selected as the first city for this venture, with commercial operations expected to commence in 2026. This choice is strategic, leveraging Europe's established automotive ecosystem and Germany's significant role in the global auto industry and its openness to new mobility solutions. Germany's legal framework for autonomous driving, including the Autonomous Driving Act effective since July 2021, permits Level 4 vehicles to operate without a physically present driver within designated areas under technical supervision.
The European market is competitive, with other ride-hailing companies like Lyft also pursuing autonomous driving services. Lyft has partnered with Baidu for similar initiatives in Germany and the United Kingdom, with plans to launch in 2026. The European Union has been actively developing regulations for autonomous vehicles, with the General Safety Regulation, effective since July 2022, mandating advanced driver-assistance systems and establishing a legal framework for automated and driverless vehicles.
The collaboration between Uber and Momenta is a significant step in advancing autonomous mobility in Europe. By combining Uber's extensive ridesharing network with Momenta's advanced AI-driven autonomous driving technology, the partnership aims to deliver safe, scalable, and efficient robotaxi services, contributing to the transformation of urban transportation across the continent. The European autonomous car market is projected for substantial growth, with estimates suggesting it could reach up to four million units by 2030.