Uber and Momenta to test autonomous vehicles in Germany in 2026

Core Insights - Uber and Momenta plan to test robotaxis in Munich, Germany starting in 2026, marking the first continental European city for this initiative [1][6] - The partnership was first announced in May 2025, with initial operations involving human safety operators onboard [1][2] - Momenta is a significant player in China's autonomous vehicle market, having tested self-driving cars since 2018 [2] Company Developments - Momenta has been involved in the autonomous vehicle sector since its founding in 2016 and is recognized for its competitive position in China [2] - Uber's entry into the European AV market puts it in competition with other ride-hailing companies, such as Lyft, which has partnered with Baidu for robotaxi deployment [2] - Uber has established partnerships with 20 global AV companies, generating an annualized rate of 1.5 million mobility and delivery trips [3] Market Expansion - Uber's international strategy includes partnerships with Chinese AV startups like WeRide and Pony.ai for robotaxi services in the Middle East [4] - Current AV services are offered in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with plans to expand to Dubai [4] - Uber and Wayve are also planning public road trials of Level 4 AVs in London [4] Technical and Regulatory Aspects - Munich was chosen for its engineering heritage and strong automotive ecosystem, with Uber's CEO highlighting Germany's historical significance in the automotive industry [6] - Momenta's robotaxi deployment in Europe will require certification from German regulators, including safety standards and geo-fenced area approvals [7][8] - Momenta is also developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in collaboration with major German automakers, with ADAS already installed on 400,000 vehicles [9]