Uber and Momenta will test fully driverless cars in Germany

"Uber and one of its many robotaxi partners, Momenta, will test fully driverless cars in Germany next year. The news comes as Europe continues to lag behind the US and China in the number of commercially operational robotaxi services. The companies say they will test Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Munich starting in 2026. (Level 4 describes fully driverless vehicles, without safety drivers, that can operate anywhere within a defined geographic area.) If everything goes according to plan in Munich, Uber says that Momenta robotaxis could be coming to additional European cities in the years to come."

"Momenta is based in Shanghai, where it is currently operating its own robotaxi service. Earlier this year, Uber said it would allow the company to add its robotaxis to its ridehailing platform, though it would be cities outside the US and China. Uber also said that Momenta's robotaxis would feature safety monitors behind the wheel at launch, before eventually transitioning to fully driverless vehicles."

"Momenta, which has received funding from China's state-owned SAIC Motor, GM, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and Bosch, currently supplies driver assist software to a number of automakers, including Mercedes and BMW. Though it currently lags behind the US and China, Europe is starting to see more robotaxi action that signals the floodgates could soon be open. In addition to Uber and Momenta, China's Baidu and Lyft plan on bringing driverless taxis to the UK and Germany in 2026."

Uber and Momenta will test Level 4 fully driverless vehicles in Munich beginning in 2026. Level 4 vehicles operate without safety drivers within a defined geographic area. Momenta is based in Shanghai and currently operates its own robotaxi service there. Uber permitted Momenta to add its robotaxis to Uber’s ridehailing platform for cities outside the US and China. Momenta’s robotaxis will launch with safety monitors behind the wheel before transitioning to fully driverless operation. Momenta has received funding from SAIC Motor, GM, Toyota, Mercedes‑Benz, and Bosch and supplies driver-assist software to automakers including Mercedes and BMW. Europe has trailed the US and China but more robotaxi projects are planned, including efforts by Baidu, Lyft, and Volkswagen.

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