Uber and Momenta to Launch Autonomous Vehicle Tests in Munich
Ride-hailing service Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle startup Momenta will begin testing robotaxis in Munich, Germany, in 2026. This marks the first time either company has announced plans for autonomous vehicle trials in continental Europe. The partnership was initially revealed in May 2025, with Uber stating that vehicles powered by Momenta will be integrated into its platform, initially featuring human safety operators to monitor operations.
Founded in 2016, Momenta is one of China’s pioneering autonomous vehicle companies. The Beijing-based startup has been testing self-driving cars in its home country since 2018 and has established itself as a significant competitor in the competitive Chinese AV market. Uber’s collaboration with Momenta positions it alongside other ride-hailing companies aiming to penetrate Europe’s growing autonomous vehicle sector. Notably, in August, Lyft announced a partnership with Baidu to introduce robotaxis in Europe, commencing with Germany and the UK.
Uber has formed alliances with 20 global autonomous vehicle partners across its ride-hailing, delivery, and freight services. These partnerships have reportedly contributed to an annualized rate of approximately 1.5 million mobility and delivery trips. In the United States, Uber has already integrated Waymo’s robotaxis into its app across cities such as Austin, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. On the international stage, Uber has collaborated with various Chinese autonomous vehicle startups, including WeRide and Pony.ai, to deploy robotaxis on its platform in the Middle East. Currently, Uber and WeRide operate AV services in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with plans to expand into Dubai.
Strategic Choice of Munich
Uber’s decision to select Munich as its launch location for autonomous vehicles is influenced by the city’s rich engineering legacy and robust automotive environment. “Germany has shaped the global automotive industry for more than a century, and now Munich will help shape the future with autonomous vehicles,” stated Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber.
As preparations advance, TechCrunch has reached out to both Uber and Momenta to confirm whether the certification process with German authorities has commenced. Momenta will need to demonstrate compliance with specific safety standards and gain approval for its designated operating areas, known as “geo-fenced zones.” If successful, this initiative could represent Momenta’s first deployment of robotaxis in Europe.
Currently, Momenta operates a service in Shanghai and plans to launch a commercial rollout with onboard safety operators by the end of this year. As it develops its Level 4 autonomous capabilities, Momenta is also focused on deploying advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in partnership with major automotive brands, including Germany’s Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. According to the company, its ADAS technology is already installed in approximately 400,000 vehicles sold to customers.
The forthcoming tests in Munich could significantly impact the landscape of autonomous vehicle operations in Europe, as both Uber and Momenta aim to capitalize on advancements in this evolving industry.
