Uber and Momenta to Test Fully Driverless Level‑4 Robotaxis in Germany
Key Points
- Uber partners with Momenta to test Level 4 driverless robotaxis in Munich.
- Momenta supplies driver‑assist software to major automakers and is backed by SAIC Motor, GM, Toyota, Mercedes‑Benz and Bosch.
- The trial will initially operate without safety drivers within a defined area.
- Successful testing could lead to expansion into other European cities.
- The initiative reflects growing momentum for autonomous rides across Europe.
Uber has partnered with Shanghai‑based autonomous‑driving firm Momenta to conduct Level 4 driverless robotaxi trials in Munich. The collaboration will see Momenta’s self‑driving vehicles operating without safety drivers within a defined geographic area, marking a significant step for Europe’s nascent robotaxi market. Momenta, backed by investors such as SAIC Motor, GM, Toyota, Mercedes‑Benz and Bosch, currently supplies driver‑assist software to several automakers. The test is slated to begin in the coming years, with the aim of expanding the service to other European cities if successful.
Background
Uber continues to expand its global ride‑hailing platform by integrating autonomous‑vehicle services. In partnership with Momenta, a Shanghai‑based company that develops Level 4 self‑driving technology, Uber plans to launch fully driverless robotaxi trials in Munich, Germany. The initiative reflects a broader push to bring advanced autonomous mobility solutions to European markets, which have historically lagged behind the United States and China in commercial robotaxi deployments.
Partnership Details
Momenta, which already operates a robotaxi service in its home market, supplies driver‑assist software to major automakers, including Mercedes‑Benz and BMW. The firm has received backing from a consortium of industry players such as China’s state‑owned SAIC Motor, General Motors, Toyota, Mercedes‑Benz and Bosch. Under the agreement, Momenta’s autonomous vehicles will be integrated into Uber’s ride‑hailing app, allowing users in Munich to request rides from driverless cars once the trial commences.
Testing Plans
The forthcoming tests will involve Level 4 autonomous vehicles that operate within a defined geographic area without a safety driver behind the wheel. Initially, the vehicles may feature safety monitors, but the goal is to transition to fully driverless operation. The trials are set to begin in the near future, with the expectation that a successful rollout could lead to expansion into additional European cities.
Industry Context
Europe’s autonomous‑vehicle landscape is gaining momentum, as several companies, including Baidu and Lyft, have announced plans to introduce driverless taxis to the United Kingdom and Germany. Volkswagen has also been testing autonomous vehicles in Germany for several years and intends to launch its own robotaxi service in partnership with Uber in Los Angeles. The Uber‑Momenta collaboration adds to this growing ecosystem, signaling a potential acceleration of robotaxi services across the continent.
Implications
If the Munich trial proves successful, it could pave the way for broader adoption of driverless transportation in Europe, offering riders a new mobility option while advancing the regulatory and technological frameworks needed for large‑scale deployment. The partnership also highlights the increasing convergence of ride‑hailing platforms and autonomous‑driving technology providers.