Uber partners with Momenta to bring robotaxis to Europe
- Uber has signed a partnership agreement with Momenta, a Chinese self-driving startup, to deploy robotaxi services outside of the U.S. and China.
- The first rollout is scheduled for early 2026 in Europe, featuring safety operators on board.
- This collaboration aims to strengthen Uber's position in the competitive robotaxi market.
In early 2026, Uber plans to launch a robotaxi service in Europe in cooperation with the Chinese autonomous driving company Momenta. This collaboration aims to merge Uber's extensive global ridesharing network with Momenta's advanced self-driving technology. Previously, Uber had its own self-driving unit but sold it to Aurora Technologies in 2020, shifting its strategy towards partnerships for autonomous vehicle deployment. This deal positions Uber to maintain its competitive edge in the evolving robotaxi market by combining forces with a company that has significant experience operating autonomous vehicles in urban settings in China. The service will feature safety operators on board during the initial roll-out to ensure customer safety and confidence in the technology while it achieves full autonomy. The partnership also marks Uber's first major international venture in deploying autonomous vehicles abroad in collaboration with a Chinese startup. As competition intensifies globally, especially in the lucrative robotaxi market, this deal represents a critical step in Uber's strategy to adapt to a future where autonomous technologies could replace human drivers in ride-hailing services.